Coronavirus information and support
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Latest coronavirus government guidance
- you must wear a face covering in most indoor settings including theatres and cinemas, unless exempt
- you should work from home if you can
- an NHS Covid Pass demonstrating two doses of the vaccine or a negative lateral flow test is mandatory for entering certain venues
- boosters will be available for anyone over the age of 18, 3 months after your second dose. Book your first, second and booster doses of the vaccine as soon as you are eligible
Self-isolation guidance
Anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19 can leave self-isolation if they take rapid tests on two consecutive days from day 5 of their isolation, at least 24 hours apart. If both test results are negative and they do not have a high temperature, they can leave self-isolation but are strongly advised to limit close contact with others outside their household. Individuals who take rapid tests and are still positive must stay in isolation until they have had 2 consecutive negative tests taken on separate days.
If you have been informed by NHS Test and Trace that you are a contact of a person who has had a positive test result for Covid-19:
If you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and 6 months
- anyone aged 5 years and over who has been identified as a contact of someone with Covid-19 should perform daily lateral flow tests (LFTs) or rapid tests for 7 days, or for 10 days since your most recent contact with the positive case if this is earlier – this should be done in the mornings, especially if attending work/going out into the public
- if any of these LFTs are positive you should immediately self-isolate and order a PCR test in order to protect other people – if your PCR test result is positive, even if you do not have Covid-19 symptoms, you are legally required to stay at home and self-isolate.
If you are not fully vaccinated and aged over 18 years 6 months
You are legally required to stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days.
Please note: you are fully vaccinated 14 days after having received the second dose of an approved vaccine.
If your LFD test result is negative, it is likely that you were not infectious at the time when the test was taken. To further reduce the chance of passing Covid-19 on to others, you are strongly advised to:
- limit close contact with people outside your household, especially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
- work from home if you are able to
- wear face coverings in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where you are in close contact with other people
- limit contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with Covid-19
- follow the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Four steps to staying safe this winter
- stay at home if you feel unwell or have symptoms and take a PCR test
- stay safe – continue to wash your hands regularly, wear a mask in public spaces, keep your distance, ventilate spaces you share with other people and work from home if you can
- get vaccinated – get your Covid-19 and flu vaccinations for maximum protection
- get tested – take regular lateral flow tests to ensure you aren’t spreading the virus to those around you
Get vaccinated
There are now 3 safe vaccines which will protect you from coronavirus, available free of charge from the NHS.
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 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test as soon as possible:
- a new continuous cough
- a fever or high temperature
- or a change or loss of sense of taste or smell.
In addition to the main three symptoms, locally, we advise that you take a precautionary PCR test if you or your child experience any wider symptoms which are new, persistent or unusual such as:
- shortness of breath or wheezing
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- muscle ache or pain
- sore throat and/or hoarseness
- persistent headache
- runny or blocked nose
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
If you feel unwell, stay at home and take a PCR test. You should also book a PCR test if you’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive.
You can also call 119.
In Hackney there are a number of PCR testing sites:
- Clissold House, Clissold Park Mansions, Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 9HJ (9am-3pm, booked appointments only, 7 days a week)
- Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form, Clissold Rd, London N16 9EX (9am-3pm, walk-ins only, 7 days a week)
- Dalston, Bentley Road Car Park, N1 4BZ (8am to 6pm, 7 days a week)
- Hackney Central, Mare Street, E9 6ND (8am to 6pm, 7 days a week)
- Homerton, Hackney Marshes Centre, E9 5PF (open 5 days a week, 9am-3pm) – please note that hours will be reduced to 9am to 12 pm on Christmas Day and Boxing Day
- Stamford Hill, Rookwood Road test centre (former bus garage), London N16 6SD (8am to 6pm, 7 days a week)
There’s also a testing centre nearby that residents can use:
- Stamford Hill Primary Nursery Berkeley Rd, Haringey N15 6HD (7 days 8am-8pm)
If you’re driving to get tested at Clissold House or Stoke Newington School, we recommend visiting the Hackney Marshes test site which has a car park. Please be advised that both Clissold House and Stoke Newington School have limited street parking.
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
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.