New testing centre opens in Lewisham for residents with Covid-19 symptoms

A new walk-through coronavirus testing facility has opened for those with symptoms to book appointments.

Goldsmiths Community Centre in Lewisham has opened the centre as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities. 

Testing at this site is only available for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practicing good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre. 

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through test site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Testing at the new site started on Saturday and appointments are made available each day. 

Health Minister, Lord Bethell said: “To respond to the coronavirus, we have built a major testing and tracing system from scratch. We are constantly working to expand and improve it with new technologies and innovations so everyone with symptoms can get a test.

 “New walk-in sites like this one makes it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted to protect others and stop the spread of the virus.” 

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history which has the capacity to process more than 750,000 tests a day and includes more than 1000 sites across the UK, including 90 drive-through sites, 518 walk-through sites, six Lighthouse laboratories, home testing and satellite kits, and a large number of mobile units.

Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said: “Walk-through sites offer communities better access to coronavirus testing, so everyone with symptoms can get a test.

“This new site is part of our ongoing work to expand our testing network across the UK which now has the capacity to process more than 700,000 tests a day.

“We will continue to expand capacity to improve test turnaround times and push forward testing innovations to make sure anyone who needs a test can get one.

 “Please book a test if you have coronavirus symptoms: a new continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss or change in sense of smell or taste, and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted.”

The testing centre is being operated in partnership with G4S and will offer self-administered tests.

Alex Lever, Managing Director of G4S’s Testing Site Programme, said: “The Lewisham walk-through site will play a key role in supporting the national response to the pandemic and we are extraordinarily proud of our dedicated employees at Covid-19 testing sites across the UK.

“Their enthusiasm has been inspiring as they continue to support the Government, our health services and the public in this crisis.”

Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

The new site is situated so it is easily accessible without a car.