SLOUGH Mayor took a coronavirus test – but wants more people to book after leaving a ‘very, very quiet’ test centre.

Mayor Preston Brooker (Labour: Langley Kedermister) took a Covid-19 test at the hybrid walk-in and drive-in coronavirus test centre in the Montem car park, Montem Lane, and is now encouraging anyone who has any doubt if they have the virus to book and take the test.

The Mayor said the test only took a minute when he drove to the centre yesterday (July 6) at 2pm to take a nose and mouth swab – where within 24-hours, he received an email and a text message saying he tested negative for the virus.

The centre – which has been operational since June 24 – has five-lanes, with a ‘special lane’ for those who are vulnerable.

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After placing the swab in a box, staff at the country’s first hybrid centre gave the Mayor a card with a serial number that must be registered within 24-hours to get the test results.

Speaking to the Observer, Mayor Brooker said he wants more residents who think or have doubts they have Covid-19 to take the test after seeing only three cars at the centre when he went.

Mayor Brooker said: “It was very, very quiet and we’re trying to encourage people to use this facility that we’ve fought for because we got it, so we might as well use it.”

He added: “Kedermister – where I am a councillor – was the hotspot in Slough when the coronavirus was at its peak.

“We had the worst infection rate, we had the worst death rate – it’s really sad what happened – and the thing is, to me, I would encourage anybody who has the slightest doubt that they got it to take a test.

“It’s so easy.”

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Natasa Pantelic (Labour: Cippenham Meadows), cabinet members for health and wellbeing, took to Twitter that she took a self-test kit where she tested negative for coronavirus.

She said: “Not the most comfortable experience the nose and mouth swab as you have to get to the back of your throat and one of your nostrils but has to be done.

“Go and take a test if you’ve got symptoms or not. It’s worth knowing. It takes 20-30 mins of your time.”

If coming by car, up to four people in the same car can come in and if walking in, all attendees over the age of three must wear face masks or they will not be tested. Children aged three or under do not need to wear one.

You can book a test here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

When you receive your test results, a message from the NHS will tell you what to do next.