If you have any of these symptoms you should isolate and book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
It is important people without symptoms also get tested. One in three people could have Covid without knowing it and could be spreading the virus.
Getting a no symptoms test regularly is particularly important if you work in a public facing capacity in the public, private or voluntary sector, or if someone in your household has symptoms or has tested positive for the virus.
The most important thing is to make sure you stay as safe and well as you can, but if you do get it, to avoid passing it on to anyone else.
If you have symptoms you can get a free NHS test to check if you have Coronavirus – to use this service you must book a test via www.gov.uk before attending a local site.
There are five testing centres across the Royal Borough of Greenwich:
If you do not have symptoms Greenwich has lots of testing centres, accessible by foot or car, as well as rapid testing centre
where you can get your result within 30 minutes.
You need to book an appointment for a rapid test via www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk for one of four sites:
Find out more at the Royal Borough of Greenwich website.
Your community is here to support you if you do test positive and have to self-isolate, and there is lots of help available from the Greenwich Community Hub. Call 0800 470 4831 to find out more.
If you have symptoms you can get a free NHS test to check if you have Coronavirus – to use this service you must book a test via www.gov.uk before attending a local site.
There are three local testing sites in Bexley:
If you do not have symptoms there are a number of mobile testing sites open to anyone who does not have symptoms, but are at increased risk of getting Covid-19. These mobile sites which are currently located in Bexleyheath Broadway (outside Iceland) and in Pier Road, Erith (near Erith library). You do not need to book and the tests are quick, with the results texted or emailed within 24 to 72 hours.
Bexley also has two no symptoms rapid testing site, open to anyone who has no virus symptoms and is 11 years-old or over.
The test is quick to take and results will be texted or emailed within around 1 hour. If tested positive, you will need to book a confirmatory laboratory Covid-19 test at www.gov.uk or by calling 119.
You need to book an appointment for a rapid test via www.bexley.gov.uk/rapidtest for one of two sites:
Find out more at www.bexley.gov.uk/local-test-centre
NHS South East London Clinical Commissioning Group is responsible for planning, paying for and monitoring most of the health services in the boroughs of Bexley, Greenwich, Bromley, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme
The NHS has made an excellent start to rolling out Covid-19 vaccines to over a million people who need them most. Covid-19 vaccinations are currently being offered to key priority groups as identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. These are the over 80s, staff and residents in care homes and health care workers at high risk.
It will be offered more widely and at other locations as soon as possible. The coronavirus vaccine is safe and effective and gives you the best protection against coronavirus.
In South East London (SEL) the vaccine is available through three Hospital Hubs and since 14 December has been delivered from a number of primary care hubs. The number of sites providing vaccinations will increase as more vaccine becomes available.
People from these group are being contacted directly to invite them for their vaccine. Please wait to be invited and don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine.
For more information, please read the frequently asked questions about the vaccine here.
Beware of scams
We are aware that some people are receiving suspicious calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination. To protect yourself and your family members from fraud and criminals, remember the following points.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, and particularly if you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the Police online or by calling 101.
You can also follow the NHS on social media and share their COVID-19 vaccination updates:
How you can help
As your local NHS works hard to deliver the vaccination programme for South East London please remember that you have an important part to play:
It is really important that you make sure you stay safe and follow guidance on washing hands, covering your face and keeping your distance from other people. Your NHS services are really stretched at the moment, we need to you to protect yourself, your family, friends and others, and your NHS.
Please visit COVID-19 - South East London CCG (selondonccg.nhs.uk) for the latest updates on their services and the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
The latest national guidance on how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is available here.
This is a marathon, not a sprint, and we cannot let down our guard. By working together today, tomorrow and every day going forward we will take another step on the path back to normal life.