Calling Dalston and Shoreditch: Drop of your PCR test kits now
Two Covid-19 variants of concern, one first identified in South Africa and one first identified in India, have been found in areas of Shoreditch and Dalston. As a result, a two week operation was launched to test people in these areas.
Targeted testing ends next Friday and this is your last chance to take part. So far there has been an amazing community effort, with 12,825 PCR tests handed out, but only around 1 in 6 of these have been returned.
Hackney Council has been asking everyone over 16 who lives or works in the affected areas to get a Covid-19 PCR test, even if they do not have symptoms, to help stop the spread of these variants in the community.
It is vital for all the workers and residents who have picked up a test, to take the test and return it as soon as possible. You must return the test within 24 hours of doing it, so it can be processed properly and give a valid result. This will help Hackney Council, as it tries to track and stop transmission of these Coronavirus variants in the community.
Have you got a test? What to do now:
- Register your test kit - guidance here
- Take your test - as soon as possible
- Return it to one of the locations, below, within 24 hours of taking it.
Dalston:
- Bentley Road Car Park, N1 4BZ (Open every day, 8am-8pm)
- Outside Dalston CLR James Library, Dalston Square, E8 3BQ (Open every day, 9am-6pm)
Shoreditch:
- Geffrye Estate Community Centre, Falkirk Street, Hoxton, N1 6SD (Open every day, 9am-6pm)
- St John the Baptist Church, Pitfield Street, N1 6NP (Open every day, 9am-3pm)
- Next to Shoreditch Fire Station, 235 Old Street, EC1V 9EY (Open every day, 9am-6pm)
Targeted testing usually lasts around two weeks, so next Friday the operation is coming to an end and the temporary test pick up and drop off points will be closed. From then on, the only PCR testing for the Dalston and Shoreditch areas will be at Bentley Road Car park. If you still have a PCR test kit at home after next Friday, you will still be able to drop off the completed test at this location, but it will have returned to operating as a symptom only PCR testing site.
We have had an amazing initial response to our call out for everyone from our affected communities to pick up a PCR test. Thousands of you have come forward, demonstrating that great Hackney spirit to work together to keep each other safe. Now, you need to make sure that if you have picked up a test kit, you take the test and return it to one of the five sites as soon as possible, so we can get it off to the lab and check if the virus is present. The targeted testing ends next Friday, so this is your last chance to take part anc check for variants of the virus.
So, make sure you pick up your test, if you haven't already, take it and return it within 24 hours. Please do this and help keep Hackney safe.
So, make sure you pick up your test, if you haven't already, take it and return it within 24 hours. Please do this and help keep Hackney safe.”
Business owners in the areas can pick up tests for their staff at the above locations. Or, alternatively, arrange for test kit delivery via this form.
If you test positive, have any symptoms, or are contact-traced following contact with someone who has tested positive, you must self-isolate immediately for 10 days.
There is support available for you, if you have difficulty self-isolating, including financial support in some circumstances. Go online; or call the Council on: 020 8356 3111, Monday and Friday, 9am-5pm.
More information on the targeted testing in Shoreditch and Dalston here.