It has been announced that Maldon District Council is supporting Essex County Council and the Department of Health and Social Care with the overall testing capacity for the district by distributing Covid-19 testing kits from today (Monday, 11 January) at Maldon Town Hall.

This is an opportunity for those who are asymptomatic (do not have symptoms) to be tested.

The tests are targeted at people without symptoms who cannot work from home, and their families, provided they live or work in the Maldon district. However, others without symptoms will not be prevented from taking a test.

The aim is to help prevent and reduce transmission in the community through increasing the testing capacity.

Who is eligible for community testing?

Anyone one who is asymptomatic and who lives or work in the Maldon district can take part in community testing.

Testing collection and drop-off site

The tests can be collected from Maldon Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon CM9 4RL.

Instructions within the test kit will tell you how to register your test online and how to package once the test is done. Anyone who does not register will not receive their test results.

The test involves a swab from the nose and mouth, which is done by you at home, then will need to be dropped back to the Town Hall and placed in the collection box. No physical interaction will be required when dropping off the test.

Opening days and times

Monday 9.30am – 3.30pm

Wednesday 9.30am – 3.30pm

The tests will then be couriered to a lab between Monday and Wednesday for analysis.

Tests cannot be carried out on site and must be taken away to ensure Covid-safety.

You do not need to book an appointment, just turn up on the opening days and times above. For people who do not have access to the internet and want to get tested, a carer or family member in a support bubble is able to register on their behalf. Visit a testing centre or call NHS111 to discuss what options are available.

Residents are asked not to attend this site if they have any coronavirus symptoms or have been asked to isolate.

What to do if you have symptoms:

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate and get tested now, so we can control the virus and protect each other.

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

-a high temperature

-or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Check your symptoms via the NHS 111 service and follow their instructions.

You should not have a test if you have previously tested positive via a PCR test in the last 12 weeks, as this can give a false result.

Getting your results:

The tests are PCR tests, which need to be sent away to a laboratory for analysis.

You should get results two days after the home test sample is collected, however due to the volume of tests this may take longer (up to five days). Results will be by email and text to the number provided when registering the test online.

For more information visit the Maldon District website via the link here.