As more people head out and about, Brighton and Hove residents are urged to take twice weekly Covid tests

All Brighton and Hove residents can now collect free Covid tests to ensure they are not unknowingly spreading the virus now that restrictions have been eased.
Jubilee Library in Brighton, which reopened yesterday (April 12) is one of the locations the test kits can be collected fromJubilee Library in Brighton, which reopened yesterday (April 12) is one of the locations the test kits can be collected from
Jubilee Library in Brighton, which reopened yesterday (April 12) is one of the locations the test kits can be collected from

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "With restrictions easing further we can now meet more people, get our hair done, go to a pub garden. Wouldn’t you like to do those things confident that everyone around you is doing all they can to make sure they’re not spreading Covid without knowing?

"Around one in three people who have Covid show no symptoms. As lockdown measures begin to relax and we resume parts of life we have all missed, regular rapid testing is fundamental to helping us quickly spot positive cases and stop any outbreaks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"If we all get into the habit of taking regular tests, reporting our results and self-isolating if we’re positive, we can get back to seeing the people we love and doing the things we enjoy."

The tests can be easily collected from Hove Town HallThe tests can be easily collected from Hove Town Hall
The tests can be easily collected from Hove Town Hall

People who are happy to test themselves at home can collect the lateral flow device tests (LFD) from dozens of pharmacies as well as at collection sites set up by the council, including:

Jubilee Library, Brighton – Mon, Tue, Thu & Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 11am–5pm; Wed, Fri closed.

Hove Town Hall – Mon to Sat 8am–5pm, and Wed until 8pm.

The kits are also available in the afternoons, Monday to Sunday, 2.30-8pm at the following sites, which are used for symptomatic testing in the mornings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Portslade, disused school site - junction of Mile Oak Road and High Street, BN41 2PG; Preston Park, Preston Lane, BN16SD; and East Brighton Park Tennis Courts, BN2 5UA.

The council said there’s no need to book, just find a site near you, check the opening hours and collect your tests. Over the coming weeks more sites will be added.

People can collect two boxes at a time, each box contains seven tests. You can also collect on behalf of other family members aged over 18, or people you care for.

Within the test kit you will receive instructions on how to take the test, how to record the test result and what to do if you test positive. You should record both positive and negative results.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The full list of pharmacies and collection sites can be found here: Find where to get rapid lateral flow testsMeanwhile, secondary and college students are already being given tests to use at home twice a week, throughout term time and the holidays.

For people who cannot access tests through the other routes, you can order test kits online or by calling 119, which will be delivered to your home.

For those who prefer to be tested in the community, tests can be booked at participating community pharmacies across Sussex or at a dedicated testing centre at Hove Town Hall. These tests are taken under supervision of a member of staff who will then process your result for you on site within 30 minutes.

These tests must be booked in advance here: Community testing for people without symptoms of coronavirusWhat should someone do if they get a positive LFD result?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Anyone who gets a positive result from an LFD test must take a follow-up PCR test within two days. If you receive a positive LFD test result, you and your household must self-isolate immediately and you will need to book a follow-up PCR test within two days. While waiting for your follow-up result you and your household should follow the stay at home guidance.

If your follow-up test is negative, you and your household can stop self-isolating.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid should not collect, use LFD test kits or book a symptom-free test and must book a PCR test online or by calling 119.

Related topics: