Free rapid COVID tests to be made available to everyone in North East Lincolnshire

The move to offer twice-weekly testing to everyone in the UK was announced by the Government earlier this week.

The tests, which will be available to take at various testing sites across the borough or to collect and carry out at home, can detect the virus in people who are not showing symptoms. Around 1 in 3 people who have the virus are asymptomatic.

Lateral flow tests produce a result within about 30 minutes.

The tests have been vital in identifying positive cases early, allowing them to self-isolate and reduce the spread of the virus.

How to access testing

School – students at secondary schools and colleges are being provided with home testing kits by their education provider. Their families, and school staff members are also being offered home test kits.

Workplace – Thousands of employers are offering workplace testing. Businesses with more than 10 employees have until 12 April to apply for home testing kits for their employers. Those businesses with fewer than 10 employees can arrange for their employees to collect home testing kits from local testing sites (see below).

Community testing – In North East Lincolnshire there are three sites set up for testing to take place and for people to collect home testing kits. These are situated at Grimsby Town Hall, Immingham Civic Centre and the Knoll in Cleethorpes. To book a test or arrange to collect home testing kits, visit lft.nelincs.gov.uk.

Pharmacy collect – Thousands of pharmacies across the UK have signed up to become collection points for home testing kits. NHS England’s site finder tool allows you to search for your nearest pharmacy collection point.

For more information on lateral flow tests, visit nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus.