Getting tested and vaccinated

Anyone feeling unwell or worried they may have coronavirus can now get a test for COVID-19.

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

However, there are other symptoms of coronavirus including a persistent headache and diarrhoea, so you should get a test if you feel in any way unwell.

When you are booking a test, if you don't have the classic symptoms, simply say you don't. A few clicks later on the website, you can then choose the option which says: "My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms".

You are not eligible for a free test through the national Test and Trace system for the reason of travelling to or from another country.

Find a coronavirus travel test provider

Testing locations

You can choose to take the test:

• At a test site (if one is locally available to you)
• With a home test kit

There are lots of coronavirus test appointments available in Blackpool if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. You can select walk in or drive through options when booking your appointment.

Please note: If you cannot get a test now, or the location or time are not convenient, try again in a few hours.

You cannot be tested for coronavirus at your GP surgery.

Order a test online at GOV.UK

Or call 119 to get a test if you are unable to use the internet.

Twice weekly testing

• Pick up free rapid tests at local test sites and participating local pharmacies
• Order test kits online

Community testing hub

The community testing hub in Blackpool is for anyone with no symptoms to pick up rapid test kits or drop in to get a test done. It only takes a few minutes to do a test and then the result is sent to you by text message 30 minutes later.

The hub is also offering a vaccination booking service, providing assistance to anyone needing to book their Covid-19 vaccinations.

Please note: The testing hub is closed on bank holidays

Testing positive

Those who test positive must:

• Self-isolate immediately
• Book a confirmatory PCR test as soon as possibleor you can call 119 or use the NHS Covid-19 app

Testing negative

A negative test result from a rapid test does not prove you are free from COVID-19.

Not all cases are picked up, as these tests are not as accurate as laboratory ones, especially when it is early in the infection. Do not change your behaviour:

• Wash hands regularly
• Use a face covering in crowded places
• Meet others in the fresh air where possible

If you have symptoms

If you have symptoms, then you must not attend these drop-in sessions and should self-isolate immediately. Book a free PCR test online Alternatively call 119 or use the NHS COVID-19 app.

If you have any of the 3 main symptoms of COVID-19 however mild, you must self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

If you are not experiencing any of the 3 main symptoms but have tested positive for COVID-19 you also must self-isolate for 10 days, starting from the day the test was taken. If you develop symptoms during this isolation period, you must restart your 10-day isolation from the day you develop symptoms.

Duty to self isolate

There is a legal duty on all those who test positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate. Failure to comply with this duty is an offence carrying a fine of at least £1,000 and up to £10,000 for multiple breaches.

The duty means that anyone notified of a positive test result and any of their notified contacts, who are over 18 and not fully vaccinated, have a legal duty to self-isolate.

Contact tracing

Local contact tracers may call you if you need to self-isolate.

They will call from the following phone number: 01253 478000.

How long to isolate

Those testing positive for COVID-19 will be legally obliged to self-isolate for a period ending 10 days after the onset of symptoms or, for people who did not have symptoms when they were tested, 10 days after the date of the test. If you develop symptoms during this isolation period, you must restart your 10-day isolation from the day you develop symptoms.

From Monday 16 August, close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case will no longer need to self-isolate if they are either:

• Fully vaccinated with 2 doses of a UK COVID-19 vaccine
• Under 18 years old

Contacts must have received their 2nd dose of the vaccine at least 14 days prior to contact with a positive case to be able to avoid isolation.

If you are a close contact of a positive case, you will be asked to take a PCR test.

Order a test online

Double vaccinated contacts are not required to self-isolate while they wait for the results of the PCR test.

Contacts must still isolate if they are over 18 and not yet double vaccinated, or test positive from a PCR test regardless of age.

Close contacts are still at risk of spreading infection when vaccinated, so are advised to consider other precautions such as wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, and limiting contact with other people, especially with anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable.

Please read the government guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection.

Travelling abroad

You may have to self-isolate when you arrive in England, if you are travelling from a country that is not on the travel corridor exempt list. Please check the government website for further details, including how to self-isolate when you travel to the UK.

Support if you are self isolating

You could be eligible for a support payment of £500 if you are financially impacted by needing to self-isolate.

Find out if you are eligible

Our Corona Kindness service can help if you need further support with tasks such as food shopping or getting medical supplies.

Call 0808 196 3080 or email helpneeded@blackpool.gov.uk

Who can get a Covid-19 vaccine

Anyone aged 16 or over can now get vaccinated against COVID-19. (16 and 17-year-olds are currently only eligible for a first dose of the vaccine unless they are classed as clinically vulnerable or are a household contact of an immunosuppressed person.)

You do not need to wait to be contacted by the NHS.

If you were contacted but have not booked your appointments, you're still eligible and can book your appointments anytime.

Book your vaccination now

Pop-up vaccination sites

Pop-up vaccination clinics are available in different locations in Blackpool each week. Anyone of eligible age can drop in to get a first or second dose of the vaccine, or a booster dose if eligible, with no appointment needed.

View pop-up locations

Vaccine safety

All of the Covid-19 vaccines being used in the UK have been approved as safe and effective by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), following testing under the same regulations as all new medicines.

Vaccination offers the best protection against the virus both for staff and care home residents.

From 11 November 2021, all care home workers, and anyone entering a care home, will need to be fully vaccinated, unless they are exempt under the regulations.

Vaccinations can be booked online through the national booking service or by ringing 119. It is also possible to visit one of hundreds of walk-in centres across the country without the need to book in advance.

Find your nearest centre.

Anyone over 16 can get vaccinated at Blackpool's Vaccine Van.

Find weekly dates and locations.

Evidence shows that around 1 in 3 people who test positive for COVID-19 have no symptoms at all.

These asymptomatic people can spread the virus unknowingly, in workplaces and in the community. That is why the testing of people without symptoms is vital.

Employee testing is quick and easy

Swabbing and processing symptom-free tests can be conducted at home by the employee.

Rapid ‘lateral flow tests' are used that give results within 30 minutes, without needing to send them to a laboratory.

The tests are designed to be easy to use and require minimal training to operate.

Find out more and register your workplace now