From Tuesday 19 January 2021, a new lateral flow device (LFD) rapid testing site is planned to open in Shoebury youth centre for those who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
The new centre will be situated in the main hall at Shoebury youth centre, Delaware Road, SS3 9NS, and will enable people to get results within one hour. It will be open from 3.30pm to 7pm on Tuesday, and will then be open from 8am to 7pm from Wednesday onwards, seven days a week.
This testing site is the third of its kind in Southend-on-Sea, joining the LFD site at the University Square building in central Southend-on-Sea and St Aidan’s Church in Leigh-on-Sea. One further site will open in the coming weeks. Each site looks to accommodate 500 LFD tests each day.
Testing at LFD sites is available for everyone without symptoms but are by appointment only and bookings should be made online. Anyone booking should live within the Southend-on-Sea Borough.
Please book a test online.
Booking online should the quickest and most effective option for residents seeking a LFD test. If you're not able to book using the online form, you can call if you’re not able to book online, you can call the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council COVID response helpline on 01702 212497 from 9am on Monday (line is open 9am to 5pm weekdays).
Check our website for further details of current sites and opening times. Further updates and announcements will be made as plans and locations are confirmed and the website will be regularly updated.
Cllr Trevor Harp, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “Increasing our testing capacity will play a vital role as we continue to take measures to reduce the spread of the virus.
“The LFD sites we now have open enable people to get results within one hour, which are extremely useful for people who are not showing any symptoms. People who do not feel unwell and are asymptomatic, can unwillingly spread the virus to others, so this rapid testing will help identify those people and help reduce the spread of the virus.
“I would ask residents to get tested through the variety of options we now have available through the drop-in site, the four LFD sites coming on stream or the local testing sites. Full details are available on our website, which is being updated regularly.
“In addition, we are now in national lockdown, so we must all stay at home, do not mix indoors with people outside your household or support bubble, and remember hands, face, space.”
Anyone with symptoms should book a test via the NHS Test and Trace App, or at GOV.UK.