Anybody who works with young children can now get free instant result Covid test in Milton Keynes without booking first

MK Council has this week extended its rapid result frontline worker testing scheme to cover the early years settings in the borough.

The test is designed to pick up people who may be carrying the virus without symptoms and spreading it unwittingly.

"Every positive test we find helps break the transmission and protect more people," said MK Council leader Pete Marland tonight.

Early years workers, pre-school workers, childminders and nursery staff can go to CMK library any time between 8.30am and 4pm from Mondays to Fridays.

They should take their ID and their smartphone and their results will be given while they wait. No booking is necessary.

Pete said the service would soon be extended to out of hours to allow even more people to be tested.

He has thanked the council staff who have volunteered to run the centre.

Pete has warned everybody in MK to stick to lockdown regulations, even though the city's infection rate is coming down.

"The number of cases is still very high. Now is not a time to relax. Many people are still very ill in hospital and people are dying. So please, stay at home."

He asked people to be patient about awaiting their turn for a Covid vaccination.

"If you're over 70 you may have received a national letter this week inviting you for a vaccination. Care home residents, older people, frontline workers and social care workers remain the highest priority groups but the vaccination programme is now slowly expanding.

"If you've been asked to go for a vaccination outside of Milton Keynes but would prefer to have your jab from your GP or more locally, if you don't respond to the letter you will be contacted again.

"I've been asked to remind you not to contact your GP surgery direct as they've been working through the priority list. This will take time so please be patient.

Pete added: "Even if you have been vaccinated, you should carry on following all the rules and guidance. The vaccine is free and being delivered by our amazing NHS. You'll never be asked to pay and no vaccine can be bought. Please be aware there are a number of scams trying to take advantage of people at the moment."

He warned people never to trust random callers offering the jab and never to pass on their bank details.