COVID-19 testing in Haringey

If you have symptoms
If you do NOT have symptoms
Who should get tested?
What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?
If you test negative for COVID-19
Further information

COVID-19 is spread from person to person - and we have a greater chance of picking it up the closer we are to someone.

Getting a test is one way of helping to reduce the spread of the virus within our communities.

Tests are quick, painless and free for everyone.

There are 2 different types of COVID-19 tests available to you:

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests for people who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (symptomatic) This test is sent to a laboratory to get results.
Rapid testing or LFD (Lateral Flow Device) tests for people who are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (asymptomatic). Swabs are not sent to the laboratory and results are determined at the site or by following instructions in your home test kit.

If you have symptoms then you should book a PCR test straight away and you will be advised where your nearest testing centre is.

If you don’t have any symptoms then you can just walk into one of Haringey’s walk-in Rapid Test centres - you do not need an appointment.

If you have symptoms

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 should get the results back in 24 to 48 hours.

You should remain isolated while you wait for your test results.

You must get a free test if you have any of the following symptoms no matter how mild you think your symptoms are:

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

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.

The test is free and easy to book.

Appointments can be made online (external link) or by calling 119. Lines are open 7am to 11pm.
The test centres operate PCR testing between 8am and 1.30pm
Following a deep-clean, the centres then operate as Community Collect centres for LFD home test kits from 2.30pm-8pm
Tests are pain-free and typically take less than a minute
Results from tests taken at test sites are received the next day

They will give you an appointment at your nearest test centre. There are currently 4 PCR test sites in Haringey:

Alexandra Palace, Paddock Car Park, Hornsey Gate, Alexandra Palace Way, N8 7HP
Opening times: Monday to Friday - PCR Testing: 8am-1.30pm, Community Collect: 2.30pm - 8pm
Parking is available on site.
Find the Alexandra Palace testing site on Google Maps (external link)

Haringey Irish Centre Car Park, Pretoria Road, N17 8DX
Opening times: Monday to Friday - PCR Testing: 8am-1.30pm, Community Collect: 2.30pm - 8pm
No parking available on site, so you must either arrive by foot or bike.
Find the Irish Centre testing site on Google Maps (external link)

Stamford Hill Primary School, Berkeley Road, N15 6HD
Opening times: Monday to Friday - PCR Testing: 8am-1.30pm, Community Collect: 2.30pm - 8pm
No parking available on site, so you must either arrive by foot or bike.
Find the Stamford Hill primary school testing site on Google Maps (external link)

The Chocolate Factory Car Park, Western Road, N22 6XJ
Opening times: Monday to Friday - PCR Testing: 8am-1.30pm, Community Collect: 2.30pm - 8pm
Find the Chocolate Factory car park testing site on Google Maps (external link)

If you do NOT have symptoms

COVID-19 rapid Lateral Flow testing sites in Haringey

Around 1 in 3 people who have the coronavirus show no symptoms, but they can still pass it on to others, who may become seriously ill. By identifying those who have the infection, they will know they must stay at home and prevent passing on COVID-19 to others.

Haringey has 3 rapid Lateral Flow COVID-19 test sites for people who are not showing any signs of having the virus (asymptomatic). All centres are operating on a walk-in basis. You do not need to have an appointment.

It should take no more than half an hour for registration and the swab to be taken, and you should know the result within an hour or so.

48 Station Road, Wood Green, N22 7TY
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm
Tottenham Community Sports Centre, 701-703 High Road, Tottenham, N17 8AD
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm

The Transmitter Tower, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY
Opening times: Saturday to Wednesday, 10am to 6pm

From Monday 14 May: Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, 1 Philip Lane, N15 4JA
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

Parking is available at Alexandra Palace. Fees may apply. The nearest car park to Station Road can be found at Morrisons, 50 Parkland Road, Wood Green N22 6SU.

See a map of these sites (including those from neighbouring boroughs).

Home testing kits

These are Lateral Flow Device test kits that you can do yourself at home and are widely available across Haringey. Each test kit contains 7 tests and you can collect up to 4 test kits for yourself and members of your household if you are 18 years old or over and not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

You can collect test kits:

at any of the rapid Lateral Flow test centres listed above during their opening times
from your local PCR test site between 2.30pm-8pm each day
at many pharmacies across Haringey participating in the Community Pharmacy Lateral Flow Distribution service

Find your nearest collection point (external link).

You can also access testing:

on-site at secondary schools and colleges as established since the return to face-to-face learning in March
through workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home if provided by employers
by ordering a home test kit online (external link)

Who should get tested?

Everyone in England (aged 11 years and over) can access free, regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing twice a week.

People are encouraged to take regular tests to help prevent outbreaks and help us all get back to a more normal way of life as restrictions ease in line with the Government's roadmap out of lockdown.

Find out more at GOV.UK: Twice weekly rapid testing to be available to everyone in England - GOV.UK (external link)

Testing is not required for children aged 11 and under (primary school-aged). If you are concerned that your child may have COVID-19, or if you have symptoms, please book a test by calling NHS 119 or online:

Book a free NHS test if you have symptoms - GOV.UK (external link)

Map of rapid testing sites in and around Haringey

You can visit any of the walk-in test sites in London - you don't need to live in the borough. Do remember these are for people without symptoms only, and you need to be 12 years of age or older.

Click to view a map of all testing sites in London

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive for the virus you must self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started.

Members of your household must complete 14 days of self-isolation from when you first showed symptoms.

You must self-isolate for the whole period even if you feel better.

More information on the NHS website:

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. For more information or to apply, email connectedcommunities@haringey.gov.uk or call 020 8489 4431.

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.

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.

Further information

See also:

Links to NHS and GOV.UK

NHS:

GOV.UK:

Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested (external link)

If you have symptoms

If you do NOT have symptoms