MORE than 30,000 residents and workers in Reading are being urged to take part in extra coronavirus testing from Monday.

Reading Borough Council has announced surge testing across four postcode areas in response to growing concerns over the rising number of cases linked to the Indian (Delta) variant locally.

Those postcodes involved include RG1 3, RG1 5, RG1 6 and RG1 7 and surge testing for everyone over the age of 12 who lives, works, or studies in these areas starts from Monday, June 7.

ALSO READ: Surge testing in Reading after Indian variant found

Who should get tested and do I have to have symptoms?

Reading Borough Council is urging everyone in these specified postcodes to take a coronavirus test even if you do not have symptoms. It is hoped by carrying out surge testing in these areas it can pick up cases where people aren't displaying symptoms and will help stop the spread.

Surge testing in Reading is for anyone over the age of 12 who lives, works, or studies in RG1 3, RG1 5, RG1 6 and RG1 7.

The council said people in these areas should take a test even if:

  • you don't have symptoms
  • you have already received one or more doses of the vaccine
  • you have been taking regular lateral flow tests

You should not take the test if:

  • you have tested positive for the virus in the past 90 days using a PCR test

Where to get tested?

No appointments needed:

  • Prospect Park - Liebenrood Road, Reading RG30 2ND. Open from 14.00-20.00 (Walk-up)
  • Reading University - London Road, Crown Place, Reading RG1 5AQ. Open from 14.00-20.00 (Walk-up)
  • Reading University Car Park 7 - Reading University, RG6 6DR. Open from 12:00-18:00 (Drive or walk-up)
  • Thames Valley Park & Ride - Earley, RG6 1PQ. Open from 07:30- 13:30 and 14:30- 20:30 (Drive or walk-up)
  • Wokingham Borough Council - Shute End, RG40 1BN Open from 12:00-18:00 (Drive or walk-up)
  • Cantley Park Event Field - Twyford Road, Wokingham, RG40 5TU. Open from 12:00-18:00 (Drive or walk-up)
  • Headley Road Car park - 6 Headley Road, Reading, RG5 4JA. Open from 12:00-18:00 (Drive or walk-up)
  • Microsoft Campus - Thames Valley Business Park, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1WG. Open from 08.00-20.00 closed Sundays (Drive or walk-up)
  • Sindlesham Court - Sindlesham, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5EA. Open from 08.00-20.00 closed Sundays (Drive or walk-up)

Alternatively, you can order a test online from gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

ALSO READ: Reading now has one of the highest Covid-19 case rates in the country

You’ll get a text or email with your result within three days. If you do not have symptoms you can continue to go to work or school while you wait for your results.

If you test positive from the surge testing you must self-isolate immediately along with your household for 10 days to stop the spread of the virus.

Go to reading.gov.uk/covidselfisolate for more information or support information while self-isolating.