Home Testing Kits for COVID-19
11th January 2021
Rochford District Council will be providing home testing kits for COVID-19 from Monday January 11, for use by the public.
These will be distributed from the South Street offices, Rochford, and are ONLY for people who are experiencing no coronavirus symptoms.
These will be available between the hours of 10am and 2pm Monday to Thursday.
Those who have symptoms, or who meet the following criteria, should NOT attend the offices and should book a Covid test on-line as normal at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
As a reminder these are:
– you have a high temperature
– you have a new, continuous cough
– you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed
– you’ve been asked to get a test by a local council
– you’re taking part in a government pilot project
– you’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result
The tests provided from the Rochford District Council offices are for anyone to TAKE AWAY conduct the testing process at home. .
Full instructions are included with the kit to administer the test at home and to register your details online.
The kit must then be sealed and returned to the collection box at Rochford District Council before noon.
The results will usually be available after 24 hours but may take up to three days.
Please do not return your completed kit after noon on a Thursday, as any tests received after this time will not be collected until the Monday. Delays can affect the result.
It is best to conduct the test no earlier than the evening before returning the kit to the collection box.
There is no need to make an appointment.
Please note that the Council’s car park will not be open and you should approach the building on foot from the South Street entrance, which will be signposted.
Leader of Rochford District Council, Cllr Simon Wootton, said: “Increasing numbers of our residents across the Rochford District will now know someone who has been affected by COVID-19, whether it be friends, family or colleagues, and the personal impact is truly devastating.
“I’m pleased that we have expanded testing capacity within our district for those who are asymptomatic, as this is one of the most effective ways we have of understanding and combatting this terrible virus, and I would urge our residents to arrange a ‘takeaway test’ test to help stop the spread.”