Based at the town’s Glebe Centre, the site will provide testing for members of the public who have no symptoms associated with COVID-19 but who could be infectious and spreading the virus to others unknowingly. The centre will also provide confidential support to assist anyone who tests positive and needs to self-isolate, with access to different financial support alongside practical measures, such as food packages.

The new Kirkcaldy site follows the opening of the Community Testing site in Cowdenbeath earlier this month.

Josie Murray, NHS Fife Consultant in Public Health and Health Protection Clinical Lead, said: “Along with vaccination, testing is a really important part of the overall work that’s being undertaken to tackle COVID-19.

“We all know we should get tested if we have symptoms, and it might seem odd to go for a test when you are feeling fine.

“However, we know that as many as 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms but are still infectious and able to pass the virus on to loved ones, friends and the wider community, including the most vulnerable.

“By getting tested at the Glebe Centre, you can find out if you are positive even when you don’t have symptoms and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus to others by self-isolating.

“If we can find and isolate more positive cases, that will help us in reducing the spread of COVID-19 to others, and help us to protect our family, friends and the wider community.
“The testing site for those who do have COVID-19 symptoms, which has recently opened at the Overton Community Centre in Kirkcaldy, will continue to run alongside this wider Community Testing.”

The Glebe Centre will initially open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. These times may change according to demand.
Testing at the Glebe Centre site is available to anyone without COVID symptoms who lives in the Kirkcaldy area and members of the public will be able to access testing on a drop-in basis without the need for an appointment.

Testing is quick and easy with rapid results available. Sites are also safe and secure, with strict hygiene measures in place. Staff on-site will support you throughout the testing process.

The Community Testing programme in Fife is taking a targeted approach, focussing on communities where there is a testing need or sustained transmission, using the most up-to-date data.

Nigel Kerr, Fife Council Head of Protective Services, said: “All our Community Testing sites will be open for a limited time, based on the latest data and testing uptake. This kind of mass Community Testing provides invaluable information to the NHS and the Scottish Government and can help them when they are making decisions on lockdown restrictions.
“Ultimately by getting involved and getting tested you are doing your part to help us better understand the disease, deal with the disease and eventually get us all back to some kind of normality.

“Of course, anyone who tests positive will be asked to self-isolate, and we know that can be really difficult for some people - physically, mentally but, more often than not, financially.
“Not everyone is lucky enough to have family, friends or good neighbours nearby who can help with things like getting groceries or picking up prescriptions. Some people are only a week’s wages away from absolute poverty and can’t afford not to work.

"We don’t want these things to be a barrier to people getting tested. We have staff on site who can speak to you in confidence and help point you to the right support if you need it. So please come along and get tested.”

Members of the public should take their mobile phone to the centre if they have one so that they can receive results. Alternative arrangements will be made for those who do not have a phone.

People should only attend the Glebe Centre site if they do not have any Covid-19 symptoms.

Do not attend if you:

  • have COVID-19 symptoms
  • are currently self-isolating because you have been identified as a close contact
  • have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days

Community Testing sites will be open on a time-limited basis. There will be flexibility as to how long sites remain open based on the latest data and testing uptake.

Further information and updates on the Fife Community Testing programme is available at nhsfife.org/communitytesting