a LLANUWCHLLYN resident is concerned people are being forced to travel too far for Covid tests, as cases continue to rise.

Shane Brennan said he was shocked when he booked a follow-up PCR test on Monday, 20 September and was told to go to travel almost 26 miles south to Machynlleth or 27-and-a-half miles north-east to Ruthin.

Speaking that day, Shane told the Cambrian News: “I live in Llanuwchllyn. The area around here is riddled with the virus and there was a testing facility in Bala all of last week but today my nearest options were Machynlleth or Ruthin.

“I’ve also heard of people booking tests in Bala and turning up to find no centre there.”

He added: “I was surprised when there were no appointments to be had near Bala.

“I understand that it must be difficult to share around limited resources but it really is difficult when you live in a rural area to get a test if the test centre is out of county it can mean having to get time off work and sorting child care as well as the extra cost and inconvenience of having to travel a long way.”

Local politicians have expressed concern about the situation.

Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said: “It’s very worrying that there are no permanent testing sites in Meirionnydd, and that the website isn’t always up to date.

“I have had many constituents contact my office complaining about the fact the website directs them to a testing site but on arrival it’s no longer there.

“This is a huge area where thousands of people live. It feels like the health board doesn’t realise it has a responsibility to people in rural areas like Meirionnydd, not just the big towns.

“Sadly, cases are on the rise across Wales particularly in parts of Meirionnydd. Making it more difficult for people to get tested is just going to make the situation worse.

“There is already a premium being paid by people living in rural areas, whether it’s extra fuel or food costs but now people have to fork out to travel out of their county just to get a Covid test.

“Many residents here have no access to private transport and depend on public transport or lifts from friends, which makes the testing regime inaccessible for many. The health board needs to make sure everyone has easy access to Covid testing. This is the best way to fight the pandemic.”

MP Liz Saville-Roberts said: “As we have seen throughout this pandemic testing is key to fighting the spread of the virus.

“As we head into the winter there will be huge pressures on our health services. Rural areas must not be allowed to miss out due to a lack of testing facilities. It is unfair and impractical to expect people in Meirionnydd communities to drive in some cases over an hour just for something very basic like testing for Covid.”

Teresa Owen, executive director for public health at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “Testing facilities within Gwynedd are in based in Bangor and Tremadog. There is also a Mobile Testing Unit that moves around Gwynedd on a regular basis. The Mobile Testing Unit has been deployed to Bala, Barmouth, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Caernarfon, Dolgellau, Pwllheli and Tywyn recently, and will continue to serve these more rural areas. The location of the Mobile Testing Unit is regularly updated on the health board and Gwynedd Council websites.

“Appointments for tests are only available where the Mobile Testing Unit is based, and for any reason the Mobile Testing Unit is moved, individuals will be redirected to their nearest testing site.”