Get a coronavirus test
Whether you have coronavirus symptoms or not, there are lots of ways you can get tested in Barking and Dagenham.
Everyone in England should now take a rapid COVID-19 test, known as a lateral flow test for people without symptoms, twice a week to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
One in three people with COVID-19 don’t have any symptoms, so you should take a rapid test twice a week to help stop the spread and get us back to normal quickly.
If you have no symptoms you can collect a pack of seven tests from the test sites below. You can also have your quick test done in person at the sites below with the results available within an hour. If you have a smartphone please bring this as it will make registration quicker.
| Location | Opening times | Booking |
Park Centre, Rectory Road, Dagenham, RM10 9SA | 10am to 6.45pm | Walk-in only |
| Relish, Town Square, Barking IG11 7NB | Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays: 7.30am to 4.15pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 6.45pm | Walk-in only |
You can also order rapid tests online to be delivered to your home on GOV.UK. If you prefer, you can also arrange for them to be picked up, free of charge, from a limited number of participating pharmacies. Local pharmacies that are taking part in the scheme can be found on the NHS website.
The Becontree Leisure Centre and Gascoigne Children Centre test sites have now permanently closed.
Please keep checking back for more information about testing centres as the situation is changing quickly.
If you’ve had your COVID vaccine, you should still be having a test twice a week.
If you have symptoms
The three main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If you have any of these symptoms, isolate immediately and get a test. Only leave your home to get a test. There are three ways to get a test if you have symptoms:
- Book a test online
- Call 119 to book an appointment at one of the 3 sites below
- Walk in to these 3 test sites without an appointment
| Location | Opening times |
| Mayesbrook Park Car Park, Lodge Avenue, Dagenham RM8 2JR (opposite Illchester Road) | 8am to 1.30pm |
| Chadwell Heath Community Centre, High Road, Chadwell Heath RM6 6AS | 8am to 1.30pm |
Curzon Community Centre car park, Bastable Avenue, Barking IG11 0LG | 8am to 1.30pm |
You can get a test for:
- yourself, if you have coronavirus symptoms now
- someone you live with, if they have coronavirus symptoms
- yourself, if you have been told to have a test before you go into hospital, for example, for surgery
Covid testing in the workplace
If you own a business in the borough, Covid testing is available for employees who are unable to work from home.
For businesses with under 50 employees, rapid lateral flow tests are available at local test sites for those who don’t have symptoms. No appointment is needed and results are made available within the hour. (More information on this above.)
For businesses with over 50 employees, you can order free rapid lateral flow tests to test your employees twice a week in the workplace. To apply, you must register on or before 12 April 2021. Visit GOV.UK for more information.
For information on support for businesses, including government grants and more, visit our support for businesses page.