More than half of of Londonders still don’t know how to get a coronavirus test, poll shows

By Owen Sheppard, Local Democracy Reporter

Millions of Londoners still don’t know how to order a coronavirus test, a poll suggests.

Research commissioned by City Hall showed that out of 1,068 adults in the capital who were questioned, only 46 per cent knew how to get a test.

And one-third of London residents surveyed knew “little or nothing” about the NHS Test and Trace system.

It comes as a ‘Keep London Safe’ campaign was launched by all of London’s 32 councils, the Mayor of London and Public Health England.

Experts say anyone experiencing symptoms should get a test and isolate if the result is positive. There are fears if people don’t do this there could be a second wave and another lockdown.

The poll, carried out by YouGov, also found that older people, and people from ethnic minorities, were less likely to know how to get a test.

If you are experiencing a high temperature, a cough, or a change to your sense of smell or taste, you should get a test to see if you currently have the virus by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus.

There are two ways of getting tested, either by ordering a swab testing kit to be delivered to your home, or by visiting one of the drive-through centres based in Greenwich, Twickenham, Wembley and Edmonton.

Antibody tests, which show whether a person has previously had the virus, are still not widely available.

Professor Kevin Fenton, London’s regional director for Public Health England, said: “We call on all Londoners to keep playing their part.

“If you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste, stay at home and arrange a test immediately and, if needed, support the work of NHS Test and Trace.

“All of this will help keep your local community, your borough and London as a city, a safe and healthy place to live.”

Many London boroughs are experiencing only small daily increases in the number of confirmed cases.