May 18, 2020 5.27 pm This story is over 46 months old

How to book a coronavirus test in Lincoln

Here’s how you can book a COVID-19 test
By Local Democracy Reporter

Booking a test for COVID-19 has just been made a whole lot easier and accessible as the government looks to ramp up testing.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Monday that anyone over the age of 5 is now eligible for a test in the UK.

Lincolnshire has four testing sites, with Grantham, Boston and Skegness accompanying the county’s main site at the Lincoln Showground.

To book a test you can visit the NHS website here, but only if you are showing symptoms.

Symptoms of the virus include a high temperature, a new and continuous cough or a loss/change to your sense of taste or smell.

Alternatively, if you are a key worker or live with someone who is considered an essential worker, you can book a test through the GOV.UK website.

On the NHS website, you register your name and phone number, before receiving a confirmation text along with a link and a verification code for you to book a test.

You select the relevant information by entering the verification code, which will allow you to verify your details.

Details include your name, number, postcode, vehicle registration and NHS number.

For a drive-through test at a centre, you then select the nearest facility to you and check for availability on time and date.

Times only show up as available for up to two days ahead in order to maintain a quick turnaround.

Once you book a time slot you will receive a confirmation text with the barcode that needs to be scanned before you take the test, with the message reading “show this code when you arrive. You’ll need it to enter the test site.”

We managed to book a test for Tuesday, and we’ll tell you how it went.