Revised details about coronavirus testing in Surrey – where to find information

People in Surrey who are eligible for a coronavirus test can find answers to their essential questions by going online at www.surreycc.gov.uk/coronavirustesting

A revised, bespoke page clearly sets out who is now eligible for a test, how to book, information about the different types of tests available, and useful videos explaining how testing is carried out.

Under new guidance, in addition to key workers, testing is now available to anyone over the age of 65 with symptoms, anyone with symptoms who cannot work from home, and care home staff and residents.

The Surrey Local Resilience Forum (LRF) is rolling out a broad range of testing methods, including home testing kits and mobile testing sites so that all eligible people in need of a test will be able to access one quickly and easily.

Surrey’s community testing capacity is being built up and over the next week this will ramp up to include testing of all care home residents and staff, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.

Yesterday the LRF wrote to care home providers to let them know that all available options are being considered in order to build the necessary resources, and that more details will be shared in the coming days.

Clare Stone, Director of Quality at Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership and the Strategic Lead for Covid-19 Testing in Surrey, said: “I want to reassure people living and working in Surrey that we are working around the clock to ensure that testing will be available for everyone who is eligible. We have already increased our testing capacity, and we are developing solid plans to make sure we can continue to meet demand.”

Access to the local testing centres in Chessington, Gatwick and Twickenham has been available to key workers for the past couple of weeks and a new local testing centre site is opening in Guildford this week. To date, approximately 1500 key workers have been through this process.

How to get tested

All key workers in Surrey who have symptoms can book a test by registering on the Surrey testing hub. A member of the testing team will then be in contact to book the appointment. People who fall into one of the new groups eligible for testing should book via the national self-referral portal for now.