Another community testing initiative to drive down the spread of the virus begins on Monday 11 January at Civic Offices, Watling Street, in Bexleyheath.

Anyone who does not have symptoms but who is at increased risk can be tested using rapid turnaround tests which provide results within an hour.

This includes people who have a household contact with symptoms or a household contact who has tested positive, or people who work in a public facing capacity in the public, private or voluntary sector, as well as front line workers (encouraged to get tested twice weekly).

Tests must be booked in advance and you must book a separate appointment for each member of your household that needs a test. Tests are open to anyone over 11 years. The test centre will be open initially Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. Opening hours may be extended if needed.

You can book an appointment now at www.bexley.gov.uk/rapidtest

You must check in when you arrive at the test centre at Civic Offices. Our staff will give you a barcode to register and explain how to do this. Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your appointment.

You will need to bring the following with you:
• your mobile phone
• your booking confirmation email (print out not required if accessible on your phone)
• a face covering (unless you are exempt)

To speed up the check-in process you can register for an NHS account before you arrive for your test at https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/nhs-log-in/

Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE, the Leader of the London Borough of Bexley said:

“This is another big step forward for Bexley in the fight against Covid. Our immediate priority has been to test as much as possible. This new rapid testing centre for people with no symptoms, will run alongside the three other testing sites located throughout the Borough and the mobile testing units that we have, all of which will help us slow the spread of the virus.

“At the same time, we are working with our NHS colleagues to make sure the Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccines are available as soon as possible to those who are most vulnerable and at risk.”

Health Minister Lord Bethell said:

“Around one in three people have the virus without symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and break chains of transmission.

“I’m delighted that the London Borough of Bexley are working with us to roll out community testing in their borough, and I look forward to seeing the results.”

The free no symptoms rapid tests are quick to take and the results will be text or emailed to you within one hour. If you test positive you will need to isolate immediately for 10 days and book a confirmatory laboratory covid-19 test.

Do not book a no symptoms rapid test if you have any of the following symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste. You should instead book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.