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COVID-19 testing in Haringey

There are different tests you can get to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19). The test you need depends on why you're getting tested.

The 2 main tests are:

  • PCR tests - mainly for people with symptoms, they're sent to a lab to be checked
  • Rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests - only for people who do not have symptoms, they give a quick result using a device similar to a pregnancy test

Both tests are free. 

If you have symptoms

    Get a PCR test as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms, even if mild:

    • a high temperature
    • a new, continuous cough
    • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

    Stay at home until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test. Check if people you live with need to self-isolate (external link)

    Booking a test

    The test is free and easy to book.

    • You can book a test online (external link) or by calling 119. Lines are open 7am to 11pm.
    • When you go for a test, cells will be collected from the back of your mouth and up your nose - these will be sent off for analysis
    • You will receive your test result in around 24 to 48 hours
    • You should self-isolate while you wait for your test results

    Get a PCR test if you have symptomsGOV.UK (external link)

      PCR test sites in Haringey

      You will be offered an appointment at your nearest test centre. There are currently 5 PCR test sites in Haringey:

      You can also attend test sites in nearby boroughs.

      Home test kits are available for anyone who can not access test sites (external link).

      If you test positive for COVID-19

      If your PCR test result is positive, you must self isolate for 10 days from the point that you receive your result. You can end this self-isolation period early if you test negative, using a lateral flow test on day 6 and day 7 of your isolation period, taken 24 hours apart. 

      Update: From Monday 17 January, people will be able to leave isolation after negative lateral flow tests on days five and six.

      However, you must continue to be very careful, particularly when mixing in groups or meeting those with underlying health conditions, or clinically vulnerable.

      If you test negative for COVID-19

      If the result of your PCR test is negative, then you no longer need to self-isolate.

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      If you do NOT have symptoms

      COVID-19 rapid lateral flow testing

      About 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can still infect others.

      Rapid or lateral flow device (LFD) tests help to check if someone has COVID-19. If people test positive and self-isolate, they can avoid spreading the virus.

      Research shows that rapid COVID-19 tests are reliable. They give a quick result and do not need to be sent to a lab.

      Even if you're vaccinated, you could still catch the virus or pass it on. Doing rapid tests helps to protect yourself and others.

      How to get lateral flow test kits

      You should use any unused stocks of rapid tests that you have at home first.

      To get more rapid test kits:

      Lateral Flow Community Collect Points

      In Haringey you can collect lateral flow test kits from the following locations:

      Find your nearest collection point (external link)

        Critical worker COVID-19 testing provision

        From 10 January 2022, an additional allocation of lateral flow test kits is being directed to critical workers, to enable them to take a test on every working day. The initial allocation will provide enough tests for a 5-week period.

        Critical workers for this allocation are defined as those who work in essential services, cannot work from home and are at risk of infecting each other - for example, due to working together in an enclosed space. The full range of critical workers have been identified and the government will liaise directly with organisations on the logistics of the scheme.

        This allocation of tests is separate from public sectors which already have a testing allocation with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), such as adult social care or education, and separate to those delivered to pharmacies and homes.

        You can also collect test kits:

        • on-site at secondary schools and colleges (for students and staff)
        • through workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home if provided by employers (for employees and staff of relevant organisations)

        Report your test result

        Report your result (positive, negative or void) every time you do a COVID-19 lateral flow test at home or at work.

        Read more about reporting a rapid lateral flow test result (external link)

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          Other reasons to get tested

          If you've been in close contact with someone who's tested positive

          If you've been in close contact with someone who's tested positive for COVID-19, what you need to do depends on your vaccination status.

          If you are fully vaccinated or under 18 years and 6 months old, you should do daily rapid tests (1 a day for 7 days). Find out more about daily testing on GOV.UK (external link). Currently being 'fully vaccinated' means that you have had your first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

          If you are not fully vaccinated, you must self-isolate straight away and get a PCR test to check if you have COVID-19 on GOV.UK (external link)

          Getting tested can tell you if you had COVID-19 at the time you did the test. If you test positive, you can help the NHS contact people who may have caught the virus from you. They can then self-isolate and avoid passing it on to others.

          Update: requirement for confirmatory PCR tests from 11 January 2022

          From 11 January, if you test positive for COVID-19 using a rapid or lateral flow device (LFD) test, you no longer need to book a PCR test to confirm the result. You should isolate immediately for 10 days, following your positive lateral flow test result.

          There are some exemptions:

          • People eligible for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment will still need to take a PCR so they can access financial support.
          • People participating in research or surveillance programmes may still be asked to take a follow-up PCR.
          • People who have received a positive Day 2 LFD test after arriving in the UK (to help us understand if and where potentially dangerous variants are emerging around the world).

          If people have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, they are – as before – strongly advised to take a PCR test, not an LFD test.

          If someone with symptoms has already taken an LFD test for any reason and the result is positive, they do not need to take a confirmatory PCR test. If someone is concerned with their symptoms or their medical condition is deteriorating, they should (as now) seek medical attention. It is possible that they may be asked to take a PCR test to support access to appropriate treatments.

          Around one million people who are most at risk and potentially eligible for new treatments will receive a PCR test kit at home by mid-January to use if they develop symptoms as they may be eligible for new treatments if they receive a positive PCR result. This group should use these priority PCR tests when they have symptoms as it will enable prioritised laboratory handling. 

          Read more about the new requirements - GOV.UK (external link).

          Update: COVID testing requirements for travel to England from 7 January 2022

          You may need to undergo COVID testing as a requirement of international travel. This depends on the rules in place in the country you are visiting and your vaccination status. You should check these carefully before travelling.

          When returning to England, the rules on testing have changed for fully vaccinated people (those who have had their first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses). You no longer need to take a COVID-19 test before travelling to England or quarantine after arriving in England.

          From 7 January 2022: you can choose to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test after you arrive in England. This Day 2 test will need to be booked before travelling and taken within 2 days of arrival in England. You will have to pay for this test from a private provider. You cannot use a free test from the NHS. Find out about private providers of COVID-19 testing on GOV.UK (external link).

          If you take a lateral flow test and test positive, you will need to self-isolate and take a free PCR test.

          Check the travel abroad from England guidance - GOV.UK (external link).

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          What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

          If you've tested positive for COVID-19 using a rapid test, you must self-isolate for 10 days. You no longer need to book a confirmatory PCR test (see above). 

          Self-isolation is when you do not leave your home because you have, or might have COVID-19.

          You should also isolate immediately if:

          • someone you live with has symptoms or has tested positive (unless you are not required to self-isolate - check below if this applies to you)
          • you've been told to self-isolate following contact with someone who tested positive by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app

          You can end your self-isolation early if you get a negative LFD test result on day 6 and day 7 of your isolation period. Both tests need to be taken 24 hours apart.

          When you do not need to self-isolate

          If you live with or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, you will NOT need to self-isolate if any of the following apply:

          • you're fully vaccinated - this means 14 days have passed since your final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine given by the NHS
          • you're under 18 years and 6 months old
          • you're taking part or have taken part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial
          • you're not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

          Even if you do not have symptoms, everyone who falls into one of the above categories is STRONGLY ADVISED to:

          More information on the NHS website:

          Important - variation to government advice in operation in Haringey

          In line with powers given to local authorities to control high transmission rates in schools, if a child tests positive to COVID-19, any siblings who live with them are asked to also book a PCR test and isolate at home until they get the results. If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school immediately.

          Self-Isolation Support Scheme

          If you can’t work from home and will lose money by self-isolating, you may be eligible for a £500 payment as part of a Self-Isolation Support Scheme. 

          If you have been told to self-isolate and do not you could face a fine. It is also illegal for your employer to order you back to work. Both employers and workers could face a fine of £1,000 for their first offence, rising to £10,000 for repeated infringements.

          Given the risks of exposure to different people with COVID-19, you could be asked to isolate on more than one occasion.

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          If you test negative for COVID-19

          If the test comes back negative, you and other members of your household no longer need to self-isolate.

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          Further information

          See also:

          Links to NHS and GOV.UK

          NHS:

          GOV.UK:

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          Page last updated:

          January 18, 2022

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