Covid test

Council ramps up testing capacity to keep residents safe over the festive season

Residents of Barking and Dagenham and their families with or without Covid-19 symptoms will be able to get a test on a number of sites across the borough and at a time to suit them.

The council has prioritised increased testing for its residents over the holiday period by ensuring there are a number of testing facilities across the borough, so people do not have to go far from home to get tested.

From 23 December, right through to Monday 3 January there will be mobile testing sites open at locations in Barking Town Square, Sue Bramley Centre in Thames View and Marks Gate Community Centre.

As many as one in three people have the virus without symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and break chains of transmission.

Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration said: “As many as one in three people have the virus without symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and break chains of transmission.

“This brings to a total of seven test facilities spread across the borough and I will urge residents to take advantage of the service and keep safe during the pandemic. We will continue to look at ways to increase the availability of testing for our residents.” 

There will be mobile testing units at the following dates:

  • Barking Town Square, 1 Town Sq. Barking IG11 7LU – open 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30 and 31 December and 1, 2, and 3 January 
  • Sue Bramley Centre, Bastable Avenue, Barking IG11 OLH - open 25, 26, 27 and 28 December 
  • Marks Gate Community Centre, Rose Lane, Chadwell Heath RM6 5NJ - open 31 December and 1, 2, and 3 January 

Please check the website for the opening times.

In addition to these mobile sites, residents are able to access testing facilities at:

  • For asymptomatic residents (those not experiencing any symptoms) at Gascoigne Children’s Centre, St Ann’s Road, Barking, IG11 7AD, from 10am to 7pm every day (although it will be closed on Christmas Day, 26, 28 December and New Year’s Day). 
  • Residents can also book a test at the May and Baker site on Dagenham Rd, Dagenham, RM7 0QX. The site is open on 21, 22, 24, 29 December and 4 January and is 9am to 3pm. Residents can book through the national portal or by dialing 119 and
  • They can also walk-in to two sites in the borough without an appointment at: Mayesbrook Park Car Park, Lodge Avenue, Dagenham RM8 2JR (opposite Illchester Road) or Chadwell Heath Community Centre, High Road, Chadwell Heath RM6 6AS.

Residents can find out more on the council’s website at: Get a coronavirus test | LBBD

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