AN MP has urged people across the Black Country to get themselves tested to ‘keep our communities safe.’

James Morris has hailed the roll-out of new ‘fast turnaround tests to Dudley and Sandwell as a key element of breaking the chain of transmission of the virus.

More than 1.6 million lateral flow tests will be deployed for use this month in the first wave of areas currently in Tier 3 across England.

The aim is that proactive testing will help identify people who not know they have the virus. That helps breaks transmission and offers a ‘route out’ for Tier 3 areas.

James said: “We cannot afford to become complacent about the threat that Covid 19 continues to pose.

“Community testing is one of the most powerful tools we have to drive down infection rates in areas like Dudley and Sandwell, where the virus remains prevalent.

“I would encourage everyone in Halesowen & Rowley Regis to get themselves tested to help us keep the virus under control.@