Symptom-free testing | warrington.gov.uk

If you have been tested at a symptom-free testing site or as part of a home testing programme and you receive a positive lateral flow test result, you should self-isolate and get a confirmatory NHS (PCR) test.

If you do not get a confirmatory PCR test within 2 days of a positive lateral flow test, you will need to self-isolate for 10 full days, even if you get a negative PCR result.

Every resident in Warrington is able to access regular symptom-free COVID tests, called lateral flow tests. Residents will now have a number of options when choosing to get a lateral flow test, to ensure they are not unknowingly spreading the virus as more restrictions are eased.

If you have any coronavirus symptoms, no matter how mild, you should not use any of the options below and instead self-isolate and book an NHS (PCR) test at gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

From Friday 9 April, residents will be able to get twice-weekly lateral flow tests at the following:

Workplace testing

This includes testing sites at the workplace where you can take a supervised test, and workplace collect, where you can pick up a box of tests to use at home. You should speak to your employer to see if they are setting up workplace testing, or alternatively register your business for testing online.

Testing at school, college or university

School pupils are already being given tests to use at home twice a week, throughout term time and the holidays. Staff at schools, college, university and nurseries should receive tests via their employers but they can also order the tests online via LFD Direct if required.

Primary school aged pupils and students not included in asymptomatic testing programme in schools and nurseries.

The asymptomatic testing programme offers all primary school, schools-based nursery and maintained nursery school staff home Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits for twice weekly testing. This helps to break the chains of transmission of coronavirus in education settings by identifying asymptomatic positive cases. Those who test positive then self-isolate in accordance with the relevant guidance, helping to reduce transmission of the virus.

Pupils are not included in the rapid, regular asymptomatic testing in primary school and nursery settings.

Primary school aged children should only be tested if they are symptomatic, in which case their families should follow the guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and book a PCR test for the child.

Testing is voluntary but staff, secondary age, college and further education pupils and students are encouraged to participate as testing regularly helps to reduce the spread in school and college settings through asymptomatic transmission.

LFD Direct

For people who can’t access tests through the other routes, you can order the tests online or through 119, which will be delivered to your home. You can order one box per household each day. You will need to be over 18 to order tests via this service.

If you do the tests at home, you'll need to report your results to NHS Test and Trace online or on the app.

Pharmacy collect

When launched, you will be able to go to a participating pharmacy and pick up a free box of tests to use at home. NHS England’s site finder allows you to search pharmacies near you that offer pharmacy collect. Over the coming weeks more and more pharmacies will be signing up.

Community testing sites

Take a supervised symptom-free test at any of our five testing sites for those with no symptoms of coronavirus.

Two main symptom-free testing sites are at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and Grappenhall, and three ‘pop ups’ sites are based in Croft, Lymm and Burtonwood.

These sites are called asymptomatic testing sites because if you do not have any COVID symptoms, you are 'symptom-free' or asymptomatic.

The sites will help to identify people who are not displaying any coronavirus symptoms but who may still have the virus and could therefore pass it, unknowingly, to others.

We are also offering a community collect option at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and Grappenhall Parish Centre, where you can pick up a box of tests to use at home.

Symptom-free sites and opening times

The opening times for the sites are:

Halliwell Jones Stadium

Weekdays: 12noon - 6pm
Saturday: 8.30am - 3.30pm

St Wilfrid's Parish Centre

open weekdays, 8am to 2pm and Saturdays 8.30am to 3.30pm

Burtonwood Community Centre

open Mondays only, 7.30am to 2pm

Lymm Village Hall

open Wednesdays only, 1pm to 7pm

Croft Youth and Activity Centre

open Thursdays only, 1pm - 7pm

Symptom-free people only

If you are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, including a new, persistent cough, high temperature or loss of normal taste or smell, you must not turn up to any of the symptom-free testing sites and should instead book an NHS test through the normal process via the gov.uk website.

The testing sites will use rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs) to provide results without the need for laboratory equipment. The devices use a nose and throat swab to identify the presence or absence coronavirus, and can be self-administered under the supervision of trained staff.

Visiting the site

You won’t need to book in advance to visit either symptom-free testing site. The south stand of the Halliwell Jones will be used to register people and will have testing booths and recording facilities on-site. Grappenhall Cricket Club and Croft Youth and Activity Centre will also have a similar set-up, with clear signage in place to enter and exit the building. There will be queue management processes in place at both sites, so that those that live and work in Warrington, and are required to get a regular Lateral Flow Test, can visit either site at any point during the general opening times.

Taking the test

Taking your test will be via a throat and nose swab, with clear guidance and instructions to be offered. Testing staff at the facility will be available to direct people to testing booths and will advise on how to take the test.

As soon as you have taken your test, you should leave the testing site, ensuring that you sanitise your hands and remain socially distanced from others.

Receiving your result

After you have taken the self-swab in the testing station and left the site, you will receive your result by text and/or email.

If you do not get a confirmatory PCR test within 2 days of a positive lateral flow test, you will need to self-isolate for 10 full days, even if you get a negative PCR result.

You can book a confirmatory NHS coronavirus (PCR) test via gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119 if you do not have internet access.

If your test is negative, it is absolutely vital that you continue to follow the current national restrictions. Receiving a negative test result does not make you exempt from the current guidance and restrictions. It is vital that you adhere to the rules by keeping socially distanced, wearing a face covering, washing your hands and staying at home as much as possible.

FAQs

Who can get symptom-free lateral flow tests?

Anyone in England who does not have any covid symptoms can now get regular symptom-free lateral flow tests to check for coronavirus.

Do I have to book before attending a test site?

You do not have to pre-book at any of our symptom-free test sites and all testing is free of charge. This applies to both on site testing and the collection of home test kits.

I have symptoms, can I check if I have COVID at these sites?

No – if you have any coronavirus symptoms, however mild, please self-isolate immediately and book an NHS PCR test at gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

You should not come to any of our symptom-free testing sites if you have any symptoms.

Can I accompany someone to the testing sites?

You should not accompany anyone to get tested, unless somebody requires support to get tested eg if they have a disability or condition that would prevent them from getting tested independently.

I’ve been told to self-isolate but don’t have symptoms, can I come to the site to check if I have coronavirus?

No – if you have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, you must remain at home. Self-isolating also means that you should not leave your house for any reason, including shopping for essentials or for exercise.

What happens if I test positive?

If you do not get a confirmatory PCR test within 2 days of a positive lateral flow test, you will need to self-isolate for 10 full days, even if you get a negative PCR result.

You can book a confirmatory NHS coronavirus (PCR) test via gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119 if you do not have internet access.

What happens if I test negative?

If you test negative, please ensure that you continue to follow the restrictions in place. A negative test is not a free pass – you still need to observe the rules and stick to the basics of ‘hands, face, space’. Make sure to keep getting tested regularly at our symptom-free sites, too.

What are lateral flow tests? How do they work?

Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) are rapid throat and nose swab tests which do not require laboratory processing and can show a positive test result within the space of a an hour. They have been used to identify many positive cases of coronavirus, where people have not had any symptoms but who have the virus and could therefore have unknowingly passed it on to others.

How long does the test take?

The test itself takes only a couple of minutes.

If you have not done a lateral flow test before, we advise you attend one of our symptom-free sites in the first instance, so you can receive a test and understand what is involved before picking up any further test kits to do at home.

If you visit our symtom-free testing sites to get a test, you may have to queue for a short time but staff are on hand to ensure safe queue management and that you can receive your test as quickly as possible.

Once you have taken your test, please leave the testing site immediately. You will be notified of your test result by text/call or email.

Where can I park to access the Halliwell Jones Stadium site?

Car Park 1 at the Halliwell Jones stadium, on Dallam Lane, is available for free parking. Ample car parking is also available at Grappenhall Cricket Club.

Will I do the test myself or does someone else do it?

Yes you will do the test to yourself. It is painless. You insert the end of the swab into your mouth and tickle your tonsils and then insert the same swab up one nostril, twirl it around and then pass the swab to a trained person at the site who will process the test. It can make your eyes water a bit and sometimes it makes you want to gag a little but it is not painful.

Can I bring my children to get tested at the sites?

If you have no option but to take your children to the testing site, you can do so, although arranging childcare before going to the testing site is strongly advised. Children aged 12-15 may be tested on site but must be supervised and assisted by a parent or carer. When collecting test kits from one of our sites you must be at least 18 years of age.

Anyone can order tests online, however from a public health basis it is not advised that under 11s are tested on a regular basis because of the distress that can cause younger children relative to the potential benefits.

Schools may also offer a PCR test kit to the parent or guardian of any primary school child who becomes symptomatic onsite, if they believe that the child faces significant barriers to testing through the usual routes.