Here’s the full list of UK coronavirus testing centres - and how to get a test

The Government has expanded its list of people who can get tested for coronavirus (Photo: Shutterstock)The Government has expanded its list of people who can get tested for coronavirus (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Government has expanded its list of people who can get tested for coronavirus (Photo: Shutterstock)

Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus can get a free test to check if they have the virus, alongside some people without symptoms.

If you think you have symptoms and want to find out if, and where, you can get tested in the UK, here’s what you need to know.

Who can be tested?

The NHS explains that anyone with coronavirus symptoms can get a test.

Coronavirus symptoms are:

a high temperaturea new, continuous cougha loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

You can get a test for someone you live with if they have these symptoms. Do not get tests for people you live with who do not have these symptoms.

You can also get a test if:

you live in England and have been told to have a test before you go into hospital, for example, for surgeryyour local council asks you to get a testyou’re taking part in a government pilot project

When is testing most effective?

The test is only guaranteed to be accurate if someone is symptomatic.

The government advises that you should get tested in the first three days of coronavirus symptoms appearing, although testing is considered effective up until day five.

How do I arrange a test?

You can apply for a test online. You will be asked:

how you want to get the test – at a drive-through or walk-through test site or by ordering a home test kitfor details such as your name, mobile phone number and address

Where are the drive-through testing centres in the UK?

These are the Regional Test Sites that have been set up by the Department of Health and Social Care.

GreenwichGreater ManchesterChessingtonLeedsLlandudnoRamsgateBelfastBradfordKetteringManchesterGuildfordOxfordLiverpool - Haydock ParkLeicesterBirminghamAberdeenAbercynonDerryGlasgowHeathrowNewportGatwickNewcastleSwanseaPlymouthNottinghamDundeeCardiffEnniskillenWest MidlandsStanstedPrestwickWest SussexEdinburghStaffordNorth KentIpswichStokeCarlisleDoncasterSheffieldPrestonBristolCambridgeIsle of WightMilton KeynesSwindonWorcesterTwickenhamSalisburySouthamptonTauntonLee ValleyNorwichPortadownCraigavonGloucesterExeterNorth WalesHullTeessideInvernessLiverpool - John Lennon AirportPeterboroughTelfordCoventryWelwynBournemouthBlackburnLincolnAshfordYorkNewbury

Anyone eligible can book a test using an online portal.

NHS capability is also being increased by providing test kits directly to ‘satellite’ centres at places like hospitals that have a particularly urgent or significant need.

The satellite centres are currently located in:

Bradford Marley StadiumWakefield Fieldhead HospitalSandwell Leasowes Intermediate Care Centre1-7 Wainwright Road, BexhillLiverpool - Hunter Street Car ParkCountess of Chester HospitalOldham STCHalifaxLeighton - Mid Cheshire HospitalAshton Primary Care CentreDerbyChesterfieldEnterprise House, StockportWirral (Bidston station)BuryMedwayScarboroughHarrogateYorkRochdale

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