Rapid test centres for people without Covid signs move to 7 days a week in Haringey as third site set to open

Press release below:

Haringey’s rapid testing sites for people who do not show any of the Covid-19 symptoms are to move to a seven day a week operation from next month.

After listening to feedback from key and frontline workers, the decision has also been taken to extend the opening hours.

The borough currently has two centres at 48 Station Road, Wood Green, and at the Tottenham Community Sports Centre.

A third site is now due to open at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY.

From Monday, February 1 the centres will be open every day:

Monday 8am – 4pm

Tuesday/Wednesday 8am – 8pm

Thursday/Friday/Saturday 8am – 4pm

Sunday 10am – 2pm

It comes as more than 5,000 tests have been carried out in Haringey since the start of the year – with 3.35% testing positive.

Dr Will Maimaris, Haringey’s Director of Public Health, said: “Around one in three people who have Covid-19 don’t know they have it, but they can still pass it on to other people, who may fall very ill.

“Since the start of the new national lockdown we made frontline and critical workers a priority for lateral flow testing. It is one of the essential tools to help reduce the spread – which even though the numbers are falling now – will need to be maintained for the foreseeable future.

“It’s also important that people know that if they are a low-income worker who tests positive, there is up £500 available from the self-isolation support payment.

“So far more than 165 people who unknowingly had Covid-19 but didn’t know it have gone into isolation. That’s 165 fewer people who are not spreading it in their communities.

“We will be opening up more sites soon to encourage people to take the tests and will be continually reviewing our hours to suit those most in need of them. So, I’d like to urge anyone who has to leave home for work to take the test at least once, if not twice a week - it will make a big difference.

“And I hope employers encourage their staff to do the right thing, as this will help us get numbers down and start to get life back to normal.”