Get vaccinated
There are now 3 safe vaccines which will protect you from coronavirus, available free of charge from the NHS.
Coronavirus vaccination rollout
Book a PCR test if you have Covid-19 symptoms
If you have any of these 3 Covid-19 symptoms, even if mild, use this service to get a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as soon as possible:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed
You should also book a PCR test if you’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive.
Book a PCR test
You can also call 119.
In Hackney there are a number of PCR testing sites:
- Dalston, Bentley Road Car Park, N1 4BZ (open 7 days a week 8am to 8pm – you can also collect a box of rapid tests to use at home at any time)
- Hackney Central, Mare Street, E9 6ND (open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm – you can also collect a box of rapid tests to use at home at any time)
- Homerton, Hackney Marshes Centre, E9 5PF (open 3 days a week, 9am-1.30pm)
- Stamford Hill, Rookwood Road test centre (former bus garage), London N16 6SD (open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm – you can also collect a box of rapid tests to use at home at any time)
There’s also a testing centre nearby that residents can use:
- Stamford Hill Primary Nursery Berkeley Rd, Haringey N15 6HD (7 days 8am-8pm)
How does NHS Test and Trace work?
The NHS Test and Trace service aims to ensure that people who develop coronavirus are tested and that the spread of the disease is reduced.
People who have had close contact with someone who has a positive coronavirus test result will be identified and contacted. People fully vaccinated or under 18 do not need to self isolate after close contact with someone who has Covid-19. You’ll need to take a PCR test and self isolate if it’s positive, or if you have symptoms.
The free NHS Covid-19 app is a vital part of the NHS Test and Trace service.
Download the NHS Covid-19 app
Get a rapid (lateral flow) test if you don’t have symptoms
Rapid Covid-19 tests are free and provide results within 30 minutes.
There are a number of ways you can access rapid tests:
- by ordering home testing kits to your home. See order a home test kit below
- by collecting home testing kits from a collection point, such as a pharmacy, community centre, or testing centre. Use the NHS Covid-19 test and vaccination site finder tool, or read the section below
- by visiting a rapid testing centre. Please don’t visit a rapid (lateral flow) test site if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have been notified that you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive. In either of these cases, please book a PCR test or visit a PCR test site
Appointments must be booked in advance.
1 in 3 people with Covid-19 do not show symptoms, regular testing is vital to reducing the spread of the virus and keeping everyone safe.
Book a rapid test
If there are no appointments listed, all slots are fully booked. Check back the next day for availability.
Test locations
Please keep testing by visiting Mare Street or the Arts Assembly sites:
- Maurice Bishop House, 17 Reading Lane, London E8 1DS (off Mare Street)
- Stoke Newington Town Hall, N16 9JP
You can also pick up free rapid tests from your local pharmacy or order a home test.
View rapid test centre map
You must arrive at the test site wearing a face covering, unless you’re exempt or have a reasonable excuse (according to the latest government guidelines). If you’re exempt, you should be permitted to enter the test site and perform the test.
Regular testing alongside the vaccination roll out, and continuing to practice ‘hands, face, space’ will reduce the spread of coronavirus and keep us on track with the roadmap out of lockdown.
All residents over 16 should be testing twice weekly with a rapid lateral flow test.
The tests are fast, completely free and are for people who do not have symptoms. There are two different ways you can access tests to take at home, twice weekly:
Order a home test kit
If you have any questions about the home tests kits you have ordered online, including how to use them and where to submit your results please watch this how to guide on home test kits.
You can also call the Here to Help Helpline if you have any questions.
Community Collect / Pharmacy Collect
Community Collect provides boxes of home rapid tests and can be collected from all of Hackney’s rapid test sites. You can also collect boxes from local pharmacies without an appointment – find your nearest locating using the NHS tool.
Staff at these sites can answer questions about how to use these tests, register your kit and record your result.
City and Hackney coronavirus data
City and Hackney coronavirus data
Find information, support and advice
As a Hackney resident or business, you can find information, support and advice to keep your community safe.
Call our coronavirus helpline on 020 8356 3111, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday if you’ve tested positive and need support to self-isolate.
Enhanced self-isolation support offer extended until 30 November
If you have tested positive for Covid-19 or live with someone who has tested positive, extra support is available to help you self-isolate.
This support includes:
- care package (tests, PPE, guidance and sanitiser)
- support calls
- free accommodation
- food support
Call the Covid-19 Helpline on 020 8356 3111, and select option 3.
Page updated on: 22 September 2021