When to take rapid tests
Get a rapid Covid-19 test if you have no symptoms
You can get regular rapid tests even if you do not have symptoms of Covid-19.
If you test positive, we advise you to self-isolate immediately, though you are no longer legally required to do so.
How to get rapid tests
You can get free rapid tests to do at home, this service will end on March 31st. They are available:
- for postal delivery from GOV.UK
- for collection from local pharmacies, some local testing sites, libraries and gyms
- you can order tests in bulk for your organisation, to be picked up from the Lambeth Civic Centre You can also take a rapid test in person at some pharmacies in Lambeth. More information on each option is available below.
Order free home test kits online
You can order a pack of 7 rapid tests for delivery by post to your home. Each time you do a test at home, you will need to report your result online or on the phone, whether the result is positive or negative.
Collect free home test kits from a local pharmacy
You can collect packs of rapid tests from local pharmacies. You do not need an appointment to collect test kits, but you do need to get a ‘collect code’ through GOV.UK, which you will be asked to show when picking up kits.
Find a pharmacy to collect tests from
You can also collect free home test kits from local mobile testing sites, Lambeth Libraries and the Lambeth Civic Centre.
Location |
Name |
Address |
Opening hours |
Brixton |
Lambeth Civic Centre |
Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1EG |
9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday |
Stockwell | Desk next to the mobile testing unit | Stockwell War Memorial, 1914 S Lambeth Rd, London SW8 1UG | 8.30 am to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday |
Windrush Square |
Desk next to the mobile testing unit |
Emma Cons Gardens, The Cut, SE1 8LN |
8.00 am-3.00 pm Monday to Friday |
Various | Lambeth Libraries | Various | Various |
You can do rapid testing in person at some pharmacies in Lambeth.
Anyone aged over 3 can use this service. Common reasons for getting tested in person are:
- to get support from a trained helper before you begin taking regular tests at home
- because you have been asked to take a supervised test, for example, because you are attending an event
Pharmacy location | Name | Address | Opening hours |
Brixton |
Kingshield Pharmacy |
387 Brixton Road, SW9 7DE |
9am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. 9am to 6pm Saturday |
Clapham |
Boss Pharmacy |
85 Bedford Road, SW4 7RD |
9am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. 9am to 1pm Saturday |
Oval |
Vitellow Pharmacy |
26 Clapham Road, SW9 0JG |
9am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. 9am to 5pm Saturday |
Battersea |
Fairlee Pharmacy |
26 Queenstown Road, SW8 3RX |
9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. 9am to 6pm Saturday |
Kennington |
Hills Pharmacy |
99 Kennington Lane, SE11 4HQ |
8.30 am to 1 pm, 2 pm to 6.30 pm Monday to Friday. 9 am to midday Saturday |
Oval |
Medimex Pharmacy |
222 Kennington Park Road, SE11 4DA |
9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. 9 am to 1 pm Saturday |
Stockwell |
Harfleur Chemist |
219 Clapham Road, SW9 9BE |
9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. 9am to 5pm Saturday |
Streatham |
Touchwood Pharmacy |
240 Streatham High Road, SW16 1BB |
9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. 9am to 2pm Saturday |
Streatham |
Day Lewis |
9A Gracefield Gardens, SW16 2SZ |
8.30 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday. 9 am to 1 pm Saturday |
About rapid tests
The test for people without symptoms of Covid-19 is a rapid test, also known as a lateral flow test, LFD or LFT. Some types of rapid tests are ‘nose-only’ tests and others involve rubbing a cotton bud over your tonsils (or where they would have been) and inside your nose.
The tests can give you a result in 15 to 30 minutes.
Always read the instructions in the test kit in full. You will find out whether you need to swab inside both nose and throat, or just nose, and how many minutes results take – both these instructions vary between types of rapid tests. You can do a rapid test at home or at a test site.
Find out more about the type of test you are interested in below.