A NEW walk-through coronavirus testing site has opened on a college campus.

People with symptoms of the virus can now book appointments at Ore Valley Campus, East Sussex College, Hastings.

It is part of the government's nationwide effort to improve the accessibility of Covid-19 testing for local communities.

The site, which began testing on Monday, is said to be "easily accessible" without a car.

Health Minister, Lord Bethell, said: "To respond to the coronavirus, we have built a major testing and tracing system from scratch.

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"We are constantly working to expand and improve it with new technologies and innovations so everyone with symptoms can get a test.

“New walk-in sites like this one makes it even easier to get a test no matter where you live.

"If you have symptoms of coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others and stop the spread of the virus.”

The Argus: Ore Valley Campus, East Sussex College, HastingsOre Valley Campus, East Sussex College, Hastings

The site is part of the largest network of testing facilities created in history, which can process more than 700,000 tests a day.

This includes more than 800 sites across the UK, including 87 drive-through sites, 474 walk-through sites, six Lighthouse laboratories, home testing and satellite kits, and a large number of mobile units.

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through test site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.