Didn't have a chance to update on the visit that @chrismylesk & I made with @hackneycouncil's amazing Public Health team to one of new lateral flow testing sites for those that don't have symptoms, but have to leave their home for working, caring responsibilities or volunteering. https://twitter.com/hackneycouncil/status/1349365581674401794
This site is at Stoke Newington Library Art Gallery, 18 Edward's Lane, N16 0JJ, replacing the Town Hall site (apologies for to those who experienced issues with the previous site). Rapid Covid-19 tests provide results within 40mins & we are targeting them to critical workers.
Cllr Kennedy & I were volunteered for a test & it was a very simple process to register on site, which is appointment only & residents would arrive having normally booked via http://Hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-support/#test. This now permanent site run by Hackney & our great partners can do 300-500 tests
It isn't our only site, & we've just opened this week a second site at Shellgrove Community Hall, Dalston, N16 8UU. Both are for Council staff, key & critical workers, paid & unpaid carers, retail staff or tradespeople. These tests & sites are for people who don't have symptoms.
The tests are simple, safe & staff are there to guide people through. They are processed on site & results texted within an hour. Any positive result requires immediate self isolation & a further confirmatory test, but these rapid tests are a vital tool to help #keephackneysafe.