You need to take a COVID-19 test as soon as possible if you live or work in parts of West Norwood and a small section of Streatham.
Follow this link to check your postcode and for more information on what to do
You only need to take a test if you’re aged 16 and over.
This is to help the Council track any potential cases after a case of the variant of COVID-19 that was first identified in South Africa was discovered in the area.
This enhanced testing programme is focused on some parts of the SE27 and SW16 postcodes.
Please scroll down for some answers to Frequently Asked Questions
How to get a test
If you do not have symptoms
Lambeth is visiting homes with PCR test kits for you to complete.
Testing kits will be delivered to your doorstep and collected by a team of Lambeth Council volunteers.
The test is free, you will not be asked to pay or give any financial information.
The testing team will not be able to complete the testing for you and they do not need to enter your household.
If you live in the enhanced testing area and are clinically extremely vulnerable, or you get a care package from adult social care, we’ll call you to see what support you need to be able to take a test.
I won't be home
If you’re not going to be home, you can book an appointment at a mobile testing unit, either at:
Leigham Court Road car park
39 Leigham Ct Rd
Streatham Wells
SW16 2NF
Or
Waylett Place car park
4 Waylett Place
West Norwood
SE27 9AE
These sites will be open from Wednesday 10 February.
They'll be open from 8am-3pm every day.
If you have symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste.
If you have any of these symptoms, you need to stay at home and get a free NHS test.
If you are not in the enhanced testing area
If you live outside of the enhanced testing area and don't have symptoms, you can get a free test through the community testing programme.
Q&A specific to the enhanced testing zone.
These answers have been provided direct from Lambeth Council to Norwood Forum:
Q1: Should I still get a test if I have had the vaccine?
A1: Lambeth are offering testing to everyone aged 16 and over – even if you have been vaccinated.
Test kits will be delivered door to door from Thursday 11 February.
If you might be out, work in the zone, or drop-off children to a school in the zone, you can book at test at one of the two dedicated mobile testing sites.
Follow the link at the top of this page to book that test.
Q2: Parent dropping child off at private nursery within the zone, should she get tested?
A2: Yes - they should book a test at one of the two mobile testing centres.
Q3: People who’d stopped at the shop on Leigham Court Road?
A3: NO
Q4: 417 and 315 bus drivers who pick up passengers in the zone or Norwood Road bus routes with bus stops in the zone?
A4: NO
Q5: Should residents of the sheltered homes ask anyone who’s visited them to get tested?
A5: They can access a test via the mobile testing units if they have visited since 1 Feb.
If one of the residents were to test positive Lambeth would automatically follow up their contacts
Q6: Teachers at schools bordering the area: Hitherfield, Sunnyhill, Julians second site (main site is in zone), Beechwood nursery et al, Dunraven secondary (Primary and Sixth Form in the area) and the Livity School –
which all border/are close to the zone and so have students from inside the area?
A6: Schools were briefed this morning (Wed 10.02).
If the adults (teachers, parents, etc) live in the zone then they should book a test at one of the two dedicated mobile testing sites.
Dunraven and Julians are the only schools actually in zone and staff and parents dropping-off children should book a test at one of the two dedicated mobile sites.
Again, if Lambeth were to find further cases they would trace contacts. All schools and childcare settings in the zone have received a letter.Second set of verified Q&A provided by Lambeth Council:
A second set of answers provided to Norwood Forum by Lambeth Council:
Q7: How are people in the zone being contacted?
A7: People are being contacted in a variety of ways. By email, text, leaflets through their letter boxes, by community stakeholders.
The programme is being highlighted in national, regional and local media.
The council is also using its social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor.
Vulnerable residents are being contacted by phone.
Residents who have questions about the enhanced coronavirus testing in parts of West Norwood and a small section of Streatham should visit lambeth.gov.uk/enhancedtesting.
Alternatively they can also call 020 7926 5559 for more information.
line will be open from 12-6pm on Monday to Friday, and from 12-4pm over the weekend.
The leaflet being issued to the community has been produced in conjunction with Public Health, NHS colleagues and the Department for Health & Social Care.
Q8: Leaflet references 10 days – what does this mean?
A8:leaflet says “We will be delivering tests to you at home over the next 10 days.”
Q9: If I live in zone, can I leave home before I get tested?
A9: Yes you can, but you must continue to follow the National lockdown: stay at home restrictions: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Q10: I had an appointment at Waylett Place for 8am and the mobile unit didn't turn up till 8.30am.
Q10: We apologise for some initial teething difficulties with the site opening times. This has been a rapid deployment – initial issue are being addressed. Both units are open from 8am-3pm every day.
Q11: It is possible just to turn up at Waylett Place without an appointment?
A11: Please make an appointment. If you arrive early and there is no queue, you won’t necessarily be made to wait until your appointment time.
Please follow this link: https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/enhanced-coronavirus-covid-19-testing-parts-west-norwood-small-section-streatham/how-get-test
Q12: Is it possible to phone Waylett Place?
A12: No. Please call the helpline is you have questions.
As stated, call 020 7926 5559 for more information. The line will be open from 12-6pm on Monday to Friday, and from 12-4pm over the weekend.
Q13: Because of lack of volunteers, the preference is for people to make an appointment at one of the two mobile test sites.
A13: No, there is no lack of volunteers.
There is no preference on how you are tested.
You will have a test delivered to your door, or you can book an appointment. Both mobile sites are open for appointments.
Q14: The variant will have spread so it's pointless now.
A14: This enhanced testing programme has been put in place by the Government. Please see comments from the Government on this issue:
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:
It is vital that we do all we can to stop transmission of this variant and I strongly urge everyone in these areas to get tested, whether you have symptoms or not. The best way to stop the spread of the virus – including new variants – is to stay at home and follow the restrictions in place. Until more people are vaccinated this is the only way we will control the spread of the virus.
The UK is a global leader in COVID-19 genomics, and because of this, we have been able to identify new strains of the virus and take decisive action. We continue to closely monitor new variants, here and around the world, and in addition to our already extensive testing service, we are making surge testing capacity available to affected areas.
Dr Susan Hopkins, Strategic Response Director to Public Health England and Chief Medical Adviser for NHS Test and Trace, said:
As part of our proactive sequencing work, we know that the new variant of COVID-19, first detected in South Africa, has been identified in a number of areas across England. A small proportion of these cases have no link to international travel suggesting that there are some cases in the community.
In response to this, we are ramping up testing in targeted areas, so we can gather more information and effectively monitor any further community transmission.