A new Local Testing Centre has opened in New Addington, Croydon, to boost testing capacity and make it easier for residents with any of the Covid-19 symptoms to get a test.
Local Testing Centres are operated by the government. They are walk-through and can be accessed without a car, on foot or by bicycle. Appointments must be booked in advance at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Anyone with any of the Covid-19 symptoms – a high temperature; a new continuous cough, a loss of or change to their sense of smell or test – can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute with the results available in 72 hours.
The New Addington Local Testing Centre opened on Wednesday 16 September and will be in full operation from Friday 18 September, when it will be open from 8am-8pm, seven days a week. Those being tested at the site will be required to follow public health measures including social distancing, not travelling to the site by public transport or taxi, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering, including while travelling to and from the centre.
In Croydon, the New Addington Local Testing Centre will operate in addition to the government’s drive-through Mobile Testing Unit (MTU), which is at Fairfield Halls, Barclay Road entrance, three days a week. Appointments for the MTU must be booked online in advance at www.nhs.gov.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
Residents with any of the Covid-19 symptoms can also book a home test online at www.nhs.gov.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
The NHS Test and Trace Service will ask anyone testing positive for the virus who they have been in contact with to prevent the spread of infection. If you have any of the Covid-19 symptoms, getting tested will help to protect our communities – however the most important thing is that you self-isolate for 10 days, and leave home only get a test.
All residents should continue to follow the advice on hands, face, space – keep washing their hands, cover faces and keep their distance from others.
If we all take these steps, together we can help to keep Croydon safe.
