People in New Addington can now more easily access the information they need to keep safe from Covid-19 and help to prevent the virus spreading in their community.
A local alliance has been formed with Croydon Council, the NHS, Aumex Pharmacy and the community group New Addington Pathfinders to provide passers-by with first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination and rapid lateral flow tests (LFT), with results available in 30 minutes to encourage those who do not have symptoms to test regularly for the virus.
The council’s community testing team and Keep Croydon Safe champions have a pop-up stall located close to the Pathfinders’ building, 120 Central Parade, New Addington, CR0 0JW.
The pop-up operates as a weekly drop-in on Tuesdays and Fridays, with no need to book an appointment for a free rapid LFT and to collect LFT home-testing kits.
The site also offers information about PCR tests if you have Covid-19 symptoms and advice on what support there is for anyone affected by the virus.
Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should not visit the pop-up but instead arrange to have a PCR test at the NHS test site opposite Central Parade. Bookings can be made at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Rachel Flowers, Croydon Council’s director of public health, said: “Access to these services in such close proximity will help to boost the efforts to secure the safety of people in New Addington from Covid-19. This is even more important now as we move into winter when our immune systems are more vulnerable. Supporting people to get their vaccinations and also to test themselves regularly for the virus will help to control the spread of the virus, reduce the risk of infection and the possible long-term effects of the disease to residents, their families and friends.”
Marion Burchell, volunteer at New Addington Pathfinders said: “We are really pleased to join forces with Croydon Council and Aumex Pharmacy. Our role is to ensure that our community is aware of what is being offered locally to keep them safe from Covid-19. I caught the virus at Christmas so I am aware of the awful effects it can have on your life.
Aumex Pharmacy, located on Central Parade, runs the pop-up vaccination clinic. Manager Mohan Solanki said: “This multi-faceted approach to beat Covid-19 in the New Addington community has been well received by the local people. We are really busy on some days with queues of people dropping in to have their vaccination. This is a great way to ensure that everyone in the area has the information they need to keep safe from Covid-19.”
