As there are several different ways people in Sussex can get a Covid-19 test, it can be a little confusing.
Residents with symptoms can apply via the gov.uk website (or by telephoning 119).
However around 1 in 3 people have coronavirus without displaying any symptoms.
Essential workers can be referred via the Sussex Central Booking Team or via the gov.uk website (some are eligible for asymptomatic testing). There is also regular testing programmes for care homes and educational settings.
The regional testing site in the Croft Road car park in Crowborough is open in the mornings for PCR tests (mainly for people with symptoms) which must be booked though the national system.
The site closes at midday for deep cleaning and reopens from 1pm as an asymptomatic LFD (lateral flow device) collection point.
This is happening in many local testing sites as part of a national programme to make these rapid tests available for households with primary, secondary and college age children and young people, including childcare and support bubbles, to do regular twice-weekly testing as part of the roadmap out of lockdown.
Click for more information about getting a lateral flow test.
In addition, anyone over the age of 18 will be able to book a test at any participating pharmacy (currently however there are none in our area), or at one of two dedicated testing sites in Brighton and Hove.
If you have any questions, or are having difficulties accessing testing, email publichealthenquiries@eastsussex.gov.uk for advice.
Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health at East Sussex said:
With one in three people with Covid-19 experiencing no symptoms, this kind of testing will play an important role in helping us to stop the spread of the virus.
Continuing to follow the current guidelines is vital, but symptom-free testing can show whether an individual needs to self-isolate and whether their contacts need to be traced. The faster we can identify those with the virus, the better chance we have of limiting the spread.
We are pleased to have been able to work with Brighton & Hove and West Sussex councils as it has allowed us to maximise the access our residents have to tests while we work to get more pharmacies on board.
Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health at East Sussex
