Covid-19 testing at Goldsmiths
Students and staff at Goldsmiths can access free Covid-19 NHS testing on campus.
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Students and staff who are accessing campus or living in university halls should be tested each week unless they have tested positive for Covid-19 in the previous 90 days.
Please book your test for the day you will be on campus. If you are in halls or on-campus multiple times a week, you should book a second test three days after your first test.
You still need to be tested if you have received a Covid-19 vaccine.
Testing is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
You may have the option of getting tested near to where you live through your local council.
Who can be tested
Testing is for Goldsmiths students and staff with no symptoms of Covid-19 and who are not self-isolating.
If you have Covid-19 symptoms, do not come to campus for this test. Follow these instructions instead.
If you have recently tested positive for Covid-19, you are likely to have developed some immunity. Please do not attend re-testing until 90 days after your initial illness onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).
About testing
The tests are simple, quick and free. It is provided by the NHS and overseen by professional clinical staff on campus.
We will be using Lateral Flow Antigen tests to detect the presence or absence of Covid-19.
It uses a swab to take a sample from your mouth and nose. You will take this sample yourself so you can do it painlessly. A trained person will help you with this.
This sample is then analysed and the results will be sent to you by email or text message. You could get this in minutes, but it may take a few hours.
Lateral flow tests are validated technology, they are safe, inexpensive and the results are trusted.
Privacy
The test is administered on behalf of the NHS. You will register with the NHS on the day of your test. They will then send you the results.
Goldsmiths are not told the results of your test.
The Test
You will be emailed instructions when you book.
You will need to bring your Goldsmiths ID card and wear a face covering (unless exempt).
Before your test, you will register on the NHS Testing website. Please bring a phone, tablet or laptop to do this on if you can. You will be offered the chance to create an NHS login account to save your personal details. You don’t have to do this, but it will speed up registration next time you come for a test.
This video explains the process:
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What to do if you...
Get a positive test result
If you test positive, you will be asked to take a further confirmatory PCR test. Book this online at GOV.UK.
You must not travel away from your term-time home and start self-isolating. Following your PCR test result, NHS Test and Trace will give you instructions on how to long to self-isolate for.
The NHS does not tell Goldsmiths your test result. Use the Student Covid-19 Reporting Form to tell us and will we contact you to offer support.
Are already self-isolating
This test is meant for people who do not show symptoms and who are not close contacts of confirmed cases.
You must continue your self-isolation and not come to campus for a test.