Free Covid tests available for Thurrock residents unable to work from home

East Tilbury library is one of the pick up spots (credit: Google Maps)

Free Covid-19 tests are available for Thurrock residents who are still attending a workplace.

From today, the kits are available to pick up from East Tilbury library, Chadwell library and Belhus library, for those who can’t work from home.

Even those without symptoms are being encouraged by Thurrock Council to get a free test as soon as possible.

Testing for those without symptoms will be available at drive through test sites in Corringham, Tilbury and Grays.

The Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill said: “With rates of coronavirus in Thurrock remaining some of the highest in the country, COVID-19 testing is now being made available to all those who still cannot work from home.

“As many as 1 in 3 people who have the virus do not display any symptoms, so it’s critically important that those who are still out in our communities and unable to work from home get a test as soon as possible.

“This way, we can help to lower the spread of the virus in our borough as those who test positive can immediately self-isolate and not continue to unwittingly pass the virus to those they come into contact with.

“Along with increased testing, the best tool we have to combat the spread of this new, far more infectious strain of COVID-19 is to continue to follow the government guidance to ‘stay at home’ and only leave the house if absolutely essential.

“Everyone must take great care if they do leave their house to keep a full 2 metres from every other person, wear a face covering where required to do so and wash their hands very often.

“People should always immediately self-isolate if they get any symptoms of COVID-19, are told to do so by NHS Test and Trace, or have received a positive test result.”

All three libraries will be open for this purpose only, to pick up and drop off tests, from 8am to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to 4pm at weekends.

Appointments don’t have to be booked to pick up a test kit or to drop it back at the libraries.

For the drive through test centres, however, you do need to book an appointment online.

To find out more information, head to the Thurrock Council website.

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