THOUSANDS of Covid-19 lateral flow testing kits are now available from more than a dozen shops, supermarkets and other venues across Inverclyde.

The council has sourced supplies from the health service and distributed them in locations throughout the area.

They are now available in supermarkets, retailers, a bingo hall and garden centre, as well as the Port Glasgow Town Hall Vaccination Centre.

Local authority staff have also delivered additional tests to community pharmacies to supplement their existing supply chains.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this week announced changes to Covid-19 testing arrangements, including a greater emphasis on the use of lateral flow tests.

Councillor Robert Moran, Inverclyde’s health and social care convener, said: “Regular testing, even if you do not have symptoms, is an important tool to help limit the spread of Covid-19 and the new Omicron variant.

“Having lateral flow tests as easily accessible as possible in retail and community locations, as well as in existing settings such as pharmacies, is a great boost, especially after the updated government advice around testing and isolation.

“Many people will have Covid-19 without even knowing it and while we’re being encouraged to stay at home as much as possible and cut down on our interactions with others, we could be unknowingly spreading the virus to family, friends, colleagues or strangers we may come into contact with when we do have to venture out.

“Testing and getting a coronavirus vaccine – first, second or third ‘booster’ dose – are crucial to help protect ourselves, protect each other and protect Inverclyde.”

Lateral flow tests are now available from Aldi, B&M, Club 3000 Bingo, Key Store Cathcart Street, Lidl, Morrisons and The Range in Greenock.

They can also be picked up in Port Glasgow from Aldi, B&M, B&Q, Lidl and the Town Hall Vaccination Centre and are available at Cardwell Garden Centre in Gourock.

*For more information about testing and coronavirus vaccinations, visit www.nhsinform.com