Taking lateral flow Covid tests at Picket Twenty centre

Picket Twenty Sports Ground is home to the latest front in the battle against Covid. It opened on Tuesday, February 23, and is designed to test those workers who leave the home to work, but aren’t already subject to workplace testing, such as those in construction.

It is an asymptomatic test centre, aiming to pick those who don’t have common Covid symptoms such as a cough or a high temperature but may still be infectious.

Picket Twenty Sports Ground is a good choice for the testing hub, being close enough to town that it is walkable, though its links to the A303 mean it’s also very quick to drive in from Andover and the surrounding villages. When I went, there was plenty of space in the car park to park up before heading in.

At the door, one of the staff greeted me warmly as he checked if I had any symptoms of Covid. I didn’t, but if you do, you shouldn’t go to this test centre, and instead go to the Shepherd’s Spring Lane Car Park site for a symptomatic test.

The foyer of the centre (taken before opening)

Inside, you just need to scan a QR code (though there is provision for the less technological) and fill in your details before you take the test. This includes an email and phone number, of which you can provide either to get your results sent to you.

Once that’s sorted, you’re led round to the hall, where a series of booths have been set up. Once in the booth, the volunteer guiding you through the test, which you take yourself, will ask you to take your mask off – though please wear it the rest of the time unless you are exempt!

After sanitising your hands and cleaning your nose, you’ll be given a swab to open. You use this to take two swabs at the back of your throat, near your tonsils – you might gag slightly, but this is perfectly normal. You then take the swab and stick it into one of your nostrils, and rotate it about 10 times. You then place the swab into a waiting vial, wipe the surface down, and that’s it – you’re done!

It took me about three minutes to do the test, and though it wasn’t particularly busy when I went, I can’t imagine it’ll be much more than that at any time. On leaving, I got handed a leaflet to let me know what to do when my result got sent over.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, my swab was tested. The lateral flow test works in a similar way to a pregnancy test, with bound antibodies and enzymes used to determine if there are any Covid antigens, which show the virus is in the body. If the colour changes on a testing strip, this means the virus is present, or if it changes on the control strip, then it isn’t.

While I recorded a video outside (watch above!) this was all going on behind the scenes. After I got back home later, the result came through by text and email. I was told it would take about 35 minutes, and it did, give or take a minute. My result came back negative, so I can continue to work while following the rules, but if it doesn’t, then you must self-isolate immediately. The leaflet you’re given when you leave gives some advice on what to do in this instance.

Overall, I found the process quick, easy, and very straightforward, and would certainly recommend it if you’re in a job which makes you eligible for the test. You can come back to the centre multiple times (they recommend two to three times a week) to make sure you continue to remain uninfected, and the centre is open for six weeks.

If you want to book a test, you can do so online by going to Hampshire County Council’s website by clicking here: https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/coronavirus/test-and-trace/testing-no-symptoms