New coronavirus testing centres for Croydon
By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter
A new coronavirus testing centre is up and running in New Addington.
The Local Testing Centre next to the leisure centre in Central Parade was opened on Friday.
The centre was operated by the government and is walk-through so can be accessed without a car.
But appointments at the centre still need to be booked in advance by calling 119 or online at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19.
Anyone who has Covid-19 symptoms – a high temperature, new continuous cough, or a loss of or change to their sense of smell or test – can get a free swab test.
The test takes less than a minute and results are supposed to be available within 72 hours, but some have faced delays in results and difficulty getting a test.
The New Addington Local Testing Centre will be open from 8am to 8pm, seven-days-a-week.
Those being tested at the site have to observe social distancing, not travel by public transport or taxi, and wear a face covering.
There is also a mobile testing unit at Fairfield Halls three-days-a-week, which also needs to be booked in advance first.
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Oh really! I can see it all now, what’s the chances of Fridays being the New Addington test centres busiest day of the week. A pop in for a quick test will add a nice bit of variety to the usual bus or tram up to the Parade, mooch over the market and then a fried breakfast in one of the many cafe places to be found there. The only distancing to be found, will be of the unsocial kind. The Whole the f—-k are you looking at’ kind and/or the wide birth given to the gangs of teenagers, milling about, doing the intimidation attitude with perfection.
I can say this because, I am an Addo girl.
Regularly observing people coming out of the test centre and straight onto the Tram or going to do some shopping in the Co-Op and Icelands. Test centre’s need to be easily accessible but away from large amounts of people – Why could the test centre not be sited at Addington Village Interchange near the police station (Dead end Road) or in an area within the park.
**Very little thought went into this decision** High risk for local residents!