Wokingham Borough Council will be carrying out Covid-19 local testing (surge testing) between Monday 7 June and Monday 21 June in Whitegates Ward, Earley, to enable Public Health England to identify any community spread of the new variant and restrict further transmission.
We are urging all residents over the age of 12 who are living, working, or going to school in Whitegates ward to come forward for a Covid-19 test between Monday 7 and Monday 21 June even if they are not showing symptoms or if they have already been vaccinated.
- From Monday, residents can get a Covid-19 test at one of other dedicated surge testing sites. You do not need to book. Information on where these sites are located is available on the WBC surge testing website
- Schools and businesses in the area will be contacted by WBC to arrange delivery of testing kits for pupils and staff
- Reading Borough Council will also be conducting surge testing in targeted areas
- If you have coronavirus symptoms you should continue to book a test through the Gov.uk website or via the NHS Covid-19 app
Testing will, in combination with measures such as hands-face-space and fresh air, following national guidance, self-isolating when required and getting vaccinated when eligible, help to suppress and control the spread of the virus and new variants.
To check whether you need to get a test, please go to the WBC Post Code checker.
Where to get tested
If you live in an affected area, go to one of WBC’s dedicated surge testing centres to get tested. There’s no need to book. Just turn up.
The surge testing centres are at:
- Shute End Eastern Car Park Test Centre (RG40 1BN) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Sunday
- Cantley Park Event Field Mobile Test Centre (RG40 5TU) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Sunday
- Headley Road Car Park Mobile Test Centre (RG5 4JA) – Open 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Sunday
- Sindlesham Court Test Centre (RG41 5EA) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday
- Microsoft Campus Test Centre (RG6 1WG) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday
- Shute End Test Centre (RG40 1BN) – Open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday
Doorstep visits
WBC will be door-knocking in the affected areas to inform residents of the surge testing programme.
Please note that:
- Volunteers will be from Wokingham Borough Council – they will show you their official ID immediately
- The test is free – you will never be asked to pay or provide any financial information
- The testing team won’t enter your household and won’t do any testing for you
If you need any help, or have any concerns, contact WBC.
Do I need to self-isolate?
You don’t need to self-isolate unless you have symptoms, have tested positive and/or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive and have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
If you live in the surge testing area, national restrictions remain the same. Keep to the same level of social distancing precautions (hands, face, space and fresh air) that you do now. The full list of what you can and can’t do is available on the Gov.uk website.
Surge Testing is also for people who live or work in the following areas of Reading.
- RG1 3**
- RG1 5**
- RG1 6**
- RG1 7**
More details can be found on the dedicated Reading Borough Council website.