SOUTHAMPTON residents are set to have access to rapid Covid tests from next month, it has been confirmed.

A mass testing programme is expected to be rolled out across the city from March 8.

The move aims to identify asymptomatic people in the community in a bid to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

It comes as a case of the South African variant of Covid-19 was found in the Shirley area of Southampton last week.

From next month, Southampton residents who have to leave home for work  and who are not covered by existing workplace testing schemes will have access to lateral flow tests.

The testing scheme will be open to  critical workers in sectors such as health and social care; education and childcare; local and national government; food and other necessary goods; public safety and national security; transport and border; utilities, communication and financial services.

Further details - including the locations of the testing centres in the city -  are expected to be revealed over the coming weeks.

It comes as Southampton City Council has confirmed that the scheme will go ahead as government approved the plans.

Cllr Lorna Fielker, inset, cabinet member for health and adult care, said: “We have received the green light from Government to start a community testing scheme for those without symptoms of COVID-19 who must leave home to go to work. The scheme is expected to launch in Southampton city from 8th March. We will be sharing more details on testing locations and how to book a symptom-free test ahead of that time. Symptom-free testing will help us to continue to lower our local COVID-19 infection rates.”

The news comes as 11 testing centres have been set up across the rest of Hampshire as the roll out of  a six-week mass testing programme across the Hampshire County Council’s patch begins this week.As previously reported, Southampton City Council worked in partnerhsip with Hampshire County Council and councils in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight on a joint bid to government. As part of the scheme Testing centres have been set up at The Point in Eastleigh and at the Totton Health and Leisure Centre and at Winchester Discovery Centre.