We are all being strongly urged to get tested for COVID-19 two times per week as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

Regular testing is free and is going to be an essential part of everyday life as it keeps us safe, slows the spread of the virus and should help prevent the need for future lockdowns.

One in three people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus without knowing. Rapid testing is a lateral flow test, made up of throat and nasal swab which produces a result within 30 minutes. This means people who test positive for the virus can self-isolate immediately, which helps prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

Ways you can get your free, twice-weekly test:

• Go to a community testing site 
• Collect a home testing kit at our community testing sites
• Order a home testing kit to be sent to your home

Testing just got easier – look out for our mobile testing team in locations across the borough who are providing free rapid testing kits for use at home. Over 50 pharmacies are now distributing free rapid lateral flow tests for people without symptoms to collect and use at home. Find out details of your nearest ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service.

Don’t forget to report online both positive and negative results - that way we can track the virus.

COVID-19 support payments

If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result or are told to self-isolate by the NHS because of close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you may be eligible for a £500 payment.

The payment is for people on a low income who must self-isolate for 10 days and cannot work from home during this period.

If a significant number of cases of a COVID-19 variant of concern are found in the borough, we’re ready to roll out surge testing in affected areas.