Drive - through test centres

[SpeckledyHen]

Probably very stupid question .

If you don’t have a vehicle does this mean you ( keyworkers) can’t get tested ? Can you walk through ??

[MinesaBottle]

No, you can’t, they’re only accepting your own car on one belonging to a member of your household (they ask for the reg number when you book). You can’t even take a taxi (unless you own it I guess!).

This might be the reason the take-up was low in places, at least at first. Particularly in London where a lot of people don’t own cars.

[MinesaBottle]

And not a stupid question - I’ve been working on communicating about testing for our organisation and it’s one of the most-asked questions even though we’ve put it in the guidance!

[SpeckledyHen]

Thanks Minesabottle . I did a thorough search before my post couldn’t find anything to answer my question.
Where will I find your guidance please ?

My concern is for my keyworker son who lives in a city centre without a vehicle .

[Icandada]

People with symptoms are supposed to be isolating at home, not walking the streets. Therefore they can only attend a drive-through centre if they get there in their own car, or the car of someone in their household.

People who cant get to a drive-through whilst observing the self-isolating rules need to request a postal test.

[SpeckledyHen]

Thank you Icandada .

[MinesaBottle]

SpeckledyHen there isn’t much out there with details like that is there! The guidance I had to write for our (large public sector) .org took a lot of info from govt guidance we were sent, which obviously I can’t share, but for drive-thru testing they’re very specific that it has to be your car or one belonging to a member of your household. Icandada is correct as to why.

If your son has started having symptoms he should request a home test - although given the current shitshow with them reaching capacity within minutes each day that might take a while...it’s all so frustrating.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

The shit show with home tests is probably down to people without symptoms leaping in. I live in a very small town and know 2 people without symptoms complaining they can't get one!!!

There's no talking to them, they are scared and acting selfishly out of that fear.

[MinesaBottle]

IMO all the govt cares about is hitting their 100k tests a day target, regardless of who gets tested or whether they’re actually eligible. And with the self booking portal they’re just trusting that people will show common sense and not panic, which worked out so well with supermarkets and stockpiling!!

[MinesaBottle]

Speckledy there’s some info about drive through testing and the requirement for your own vehicle here. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/881043/covid-19-testing-self-referral-portal-user-guide.pdf

[MinesaBottle]

Sorry, should have said it’s on p20!

[SpeckledyHen]

Thank you 🙏 Minesabottle xx