Many of our students travel away for the winter break, so in the run up to the end of term, we have extended the hours of our home test kit collection point to make it as convenient as possible. You should ensure that you have enough to take a test before you return to Reading. 

Regular testing remains extremely important to minimise the spread of COVID-19. We encourage all students and staff who are on campus to take a lateral flow test every day. 

From Monday 6 – Friday 10 December the test collection site at the Library will be open: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00. 

The hours will revert to the usual hours of 13:00 – 16:00, Monday to Thursday until 16 December. If you require test kits after 16 December, they are available from local pharmacies or can be ordered online. We hope to reopen the collection point on 4 January 2022.  

The NHS PCR testing site will remain open in Car Park 11.  

Please note that the lateral flow tests available at the collection point may be dual nasal tests. Please read the instructions carefully if you have not used these tests before.  

Travelling away from Reading for the winter break? 

• Take a box of lateral flow tests with you so that you can test before returning to Reading.  
• If you are travelling outside the UK for the break, please check the foreign travel advice of the country you are travelling to. In most cases, lateral flow tests are not valid for travel. Please also check the government’s travel abroad checklist.  
• You should not travel if you have tested positive for COVID-19, or have otherwise been instructed to self-isolate, until the end of your full self-isolation period. 
• Please review the government’s safer travel guidance, which include the temporary measures of wearing face coverings on public transport. 

For more information about lateral flow testing, please visit the NHS website. If you have symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and order a PCR test.