The government has announced that they have made available rapid COVID-19 tests (Lateral Flow Device Tests) to all households with school and college aged children without symptoms. These tests are used to test adults without symptoms, twice a week; they are not to be used on children.
As parents/carers may like to know how they can access these, please see the information below:
These test kits can be collected or ordered online. The tests are fast, easy and completely free. There are different ways for a household, childcare or support bubble to collect a test:
Option 1. Through your employer, if they offer testing to employees (The preferred option wherever possible)
Option 2. By collecting a home test kit from a local test site
Anyone aged 18 or over can collect 2 packs of 7 tests.
Most collection points are open from 1.30pm to 7pm. You can check online if the location is open or busy before you go. You do not need to make an appointment.
Do not visit a collection point outside opening hours, as it may be used to test people with coronavirus symptoms outside these times.
Click here to find your nearest home test kit collection point.
The closet to Harlow Green is at the Central Library near the Leisure Centre in Gateshead – there is also a site located at Grassbanks Medical Centre on the Leam Lane.
Option 3. By ordering a home test kit online
Please do not order online if you can access testing through other routes, this frees up home delivery for those who need it most
Click here to order rapid lateral flow home test kits
Do I need to do this?
Testing is voluntary, but strongly recommended to all who are eligible. Alongside the vaccine, washing hands, wearing face coverings, and maintaining social distancing, rapid testing plays a vital role in reducing transmission rates. Getting into the habit of regular testing as part of our everyday lives will help us all to play our part and do what we can to protect each other. As you know Harlow Green staff are doing this twice a week to help keep your children and our community safe.
This may help us to keep our community a little safer as children return to school.
