Pop-up Coronavirus Test Centre at Wandsworth Town Hall

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Register for a test this weekend if you are eligible


Wandsworth Town Hall. Picture: Derek Harper

People who think they may have contracted coronavirus can get tested at a special temporary testing centre run by the army at Wandsworth Town Hall on Friday and Saturday.

A mobile testing unit will be offering tests in the town hall car park between 9.30am and 3.30pm on both May 1 and 2.

Please note the test will not show if you have already had Covid-19, only if you currently have the infection. 

The tests are being offered to the following categories of people – and if appropriate members of the same household.

• all those working on the frontline in health and social care (with or without symptoms)
• patients in the NHS and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms)
• all essential workers with symptom
• anyone over 65 with symptoms
• anyone who goes into work because they cannot work from home (eg construction workers, emergency plumbers and those in similar occupations) and has symptoms
• anyone who has symptoms and lives with someone who meets any of the above criteria

Tests are being offered by appointment only. These must be booked online via the Government's web portal . Please note however that bookings will only be possible from late afternoon or early evening on Thursday, April 30.

A full list of those classed as essential workers is published on the Gov.uk website .

It includes anyone working in the NHS or social care settings plus those working in the transport, education or food distribution sectors, including shops and supermarkets along with key public services like the police, fire brigade, prisons, schools, the postal service, bus, rail and tube workers. Tests are also being offered to members of their household if they are displaying any symptoms.

The main symptoms of the disease are:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).

To qualify for a test those attending must bring with them some form of identification or verification letter demonstrating that they are, or another member of their household is, an essential worker. This could be a staff ID badge, or letter or email from an employer.

People can attend the test centre by car, on bikes or on foot, but those who can arrive by car are being urged to do so if possible in order to maintain social distancing rules.

Council leader Ravi Govindia said: “A key element of the strategy to eradicate this virus is to conduct as many tests as possible, especially on those essential workers who are keeping this country going in the midst of this pandemic.

“It means that frontline workers can find out whether or not they have the virus, and if they test negative, not only will it be a weight off their minds it will also mean they can return to work and continue the incredibly important work they do, and which we are all grateful for.

“If you are elderly, a key worker or covered by an of the categories listed above, and either you or a close member of your family has developed symptoms of Coronavirus, then please come and get tested.”

People attending the town hall test centre by car or bike should use the entrance in Wandsworth High Street directly adjacent to the Wandsworth Civic Suite. This entrance will be signposted.

Those arriving on foot should use the entrance to the car park in Ram Street., This will also be signposted.

Those tested will receive their results 48 hours later.

For more information please visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/covidtesting .

• A drive-in appointment only Coronavirus test site is also operating in the neighbouring borough of Richmond- upon-Thames. Further information on how to apply for a test can be found here .

April 30, 2020