Walk-through Covid testing at Prospect Park

A new walk-through Coronavirus testing facility opened on Friday 22nd January at Prospect Park that will help local residents get easier access to testing.

The Prospect Park car park will be closed from 6pm Wednesday 20th January until 9am Friday 22nd January to allow for the building and set-up of the site. Limited parking will be available after this time for people visiting the park for exercise during lockdown. The bottle banks remain available and will be relocated within the car park.

The testing site will be pedestrian access only but is easily accessible without a car. People being tested will be required to observe social distancing, to not travel by taxi or public transport and wear a face covering throughout, including on their journey to and from the testing centre.

The testing facilities are expected to be in place seven days a week, 8am to 8pm, for the next three to six months. Tests must be booked in advance, anyone attending without an appointment will not be tested.

Anyone with Coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test at the site. Tests should be booked as soon as symptoms begin at nhs.uk/coronavirus, by calling 119 or via the NHS COVID-19 app, you can expect your result the next day. 

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through testing will be provided with guidance at the time of booking on getting to and from the test site safely. 

Residents who are unable to walk to the local testing sites at Prospect Park and the University of Reading London Road campus for a COVID test, will be able to request a home testing kit is sent to them or provided with options of their nearest drive-through test site at their time of booking a test.