Lewisham Council opens new Covid rapid test centre for people without symptoms

Lewisham Council is offering rapid Covid-19 tests to anyone without coronavirus symptoms who needs to leave the home for work.

Rapid tests are now easily accessible to residents across the borough with a fourth test centre opening today at Ignition Brewery – a not-for-profit business on Sydenham High Street, which employs and trains people with learning disabilities.

Whilst non-essential retail remains closed, the premises has been transformed into a rapid test centre.

Nick O’Shea, Co-Director, Ignition Brewery said: “Ignition is delighted to have adapted our taproom so that rapid Covid-19 testing can be offered to local key workers.

“Since the pandemic arrived, the health and the safety of our customers and staff has been paramount and so we fully support all practical efforts to detect and control this disease. Keeping Sydenham strong and healthy is our number one goal.”

Lewisham Council is calling on residents who need to leave their home for work, to volunteer or are unpaid carers to get tested twice a week to help protect those around them from the virus Covid-19.

Dr Catherine Mbema, Director of Public Health for Lewisham said: “Since we introduced rapid testing in Lewisham, over eleven thousand residents have received a rapid test at one of our sites.

“By getting a regular rapid test people who need to leave their homes for work, volunteering or caring responsibilities are helping to protect the people around them.”

Rapid tests can be completed as quickly as ten minutes and it usually takes no longer than 30 minutes for the results to be delivered by email or text message.

If you are working outside of your home, out in the community or coming into contact with customers, you are thought to be more at risk of spreading the virus.

Rapid, or lateral flow, tests can help identify those individuals who may have Covid-19 without symptoms and this is an important step in helping to stop the spread of the virus.

To get a rapid test, book via lewisham.gov.uk/rapidtest

Appointments are available:

Deptford Lounge, Deptford SE8 4RJ – Mon – Sat

Green Man, Downham SE6 2RP – Sun – Fri

Civic Suite, Catford SE6 4RX Mon – Sat

Ignition Brewery, Sydenham Centre SE26 5QX  Mon –Sat

Weekday 09.30 – 16.00

Weekend 09.30 – 14.00

Evening appointments for rapid tests are now available on Tuesday and Thursday at Deptford Lounge, Ignition Brewery at the Sydenham Centre and Civic Suite, Catford. The last appointment will be 7.00pm