To ask if I can turn up for a Covid test?

[RollingWithMyGnomie]

Really sorry if this has been asked before but I’ve been trying to get a Covid test all weekend for my son and myself.

GOV website keeps saying no tests available and I’ve tried loads of postcodes...

My son is unwell, high fever, lethargy etc. And whilst I know it could be any number of things I’m trying to do the right thing and keep him home. But I can’t get a test!

If we turn up at a testing site will we be seen? And WTF is going on?! We knew this was coming so why do we not have testing capacity?

He has autism and learning difficulties so I can’t really take the risk of prepping him for a test and then it not happening... it’s an absolute joke

@Thirtyrock39

10 days for the person with symptoms - 14 days for rest of household Walk in centres rather than drive ins are more likely to see without apt and particularly cold in local hot spot areas

Thank you - I wasn’t sure what the 14 days was in relation to but was sure I heard it somewhere!

I’m still on hold with 119, and have been trying to get book online but none available... lots of posters advice on this thread has been really helpful so thank you.

As a wider problem this is madness; how many of us will do this? I just naively assumed we would be tested if needed. Hopefully capacity improves for everyone soon

It's a nightmare and even when (if!!) you get a test it can be a long wait for the results - can't believe how bad it's been the last week or so. Before schools went back I know people who needed tests and they just logged straight onto a local centre, went that day and results back in 24 hours ...they couldn't believe it when I explained how hard it was for us to get a test and the 3 day wait for results

I think whether or not you can just turn up varies by area judging by what I've read on other threads. My closest testing centre won't let you into the site without a booking but people in other areas are saying they've been seen without an appointment.

It’s just so shambolic; if I get no luck online (and I’ve been on hold for 119 for and hour and a half now) then I guess I’ll take my chances and just turn up.

How is this the testing system we were promised? Am I alone in being really pissed off?

@RollingWithMyGnomie I live near you. I was offered nothing to start with, then Weymouth and then finally Southampton airport drive thru. Keep trying. It was quiet when I went and I asked if my friend could just turn up without a booking and they said absolutely not, they would be turned away,

Your school will have a small supply of tests for exactly this circumstance. Ask them tomorrow.
Hope you get it sorted soon .

Thanks all, I will try online again tomorrow.

Spent nearly 2hrs on hold to 119 - lovely guy said there are no tests! I asked about turning up and he said he couldn’t say yes or no....so if there is nothing online tomorrow I’m guessing that turning up is the way forward.

I’ve mentioned to school about lack of testing but they haven’t offered anything but I’ll try again tomorrow if we can’t get a test.

Thanks again for the replies - this shouldn’t be so hard!