Regular testing for people with no COVID-19 symptoms is one of the ways we can all help keep people safe and stop new variants spreading in Edinburgh. Infection rates are rising again across Edinburgh, so we’re still asking people to keep testing, even if they’ve been vaccinated.
People with no COVID-19 symptoms and haven’t been identified as a close contact can come along for a test at one of our community test centres or mobile test units run by the Scottish Ambulance Service. There’s no need to book and testing is free, fast and safe. People with symptoms must book a PCR test online or call National Testing Centre on 119.
Community test centres
You will take a lateral flow test which will take around 15 minutes and we’ll send you your results in around 45 minutes.
- Blackhall Library until Saturday 11 September (closed Sundays), 9am to 6pm
- Gilmerton Library, Monday 6 September to Saturday 11 September, 9am to 6pm
Mobile test units
You will take a PCR test which will be sent to a laboratory. You will be sent your results in 24 to 72 hours.
- Tumbles/Power League car park, 20 Westbank Street, Portobello EH15 1DR until Sunday 12 September, 10am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 9.30am to 5pm on Sundays
- South East locality office, 40 Captain’s Road, Edinburgh, EH17 8QF until Sunday 12 September, 10am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and Sundays 9.30am to 5pm
- The Assembly Rooms, George Street from Monday 6 September to Saturday 11 September 9am to 5pm
- Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, 30 Harvesters Way, from Monday 6 September to Sunday 12 September, 10am to 5.30pm
- Davidson’s Mains Parish Church car park, 1 Quality Street from Monday 6 September to Friday 10 September 9am to 4pm
If you can’t get to one of the test centres, you can order free rapid lateral flow test kits online or by phoning the National Testing Centre on 119 or collect them from most chemists or libraries in Edinburgh.
Almost 1 in 3 people infected with Covid-19 don’t have any of the usual symptoms but are potentially passing on the virus unknowingly to family, friends and others in the community. By getting tested people can find out if they are positive and self-isolate at home to stop spreading the virus to others. People who have been vaccinated are also encouraged to take a test as they may still carry the virus.
You can find out more about community testing on our web pages at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitytesting
