Where can I get Covid tests in Bristol? Where to pick up lateral flow tests near me - and how much they cost

Sadly, Bristol due to new variants">coronavirus is not a thing of the past as cases are still popping up across not just Bristol but the entirety of the United Kingdom.

Therefore, covid lateral flow tests are still a necessity, especially in order to minimise its spread amongst friends, family and work colleagues.

A negative test is also required as entry requirements for various countries abroad too, so if you’re hoping for a sunbaked vacation away from Bristol this summer, you might require a lateral flow to prove you are covid-free.

BristolWorld has compiled all the information you need to know, such as how to find out if you are eligible for a free lateral flow test kit, and some pharmacies in the city where you can pick some up from.

What are lateral flow tests and how to use them?

A lateral flow test is a simple to use diagnostic device that detects the presence of Covid-19 in humans or animals.

They are delivered in kits that often include a swab, a capsule containing liquid, a test tube as well as the device unit itself.

The main steps for conducting a lateral flow test involve a throat and nose swab where you dab it on the tonsils four times on each side, as well as using the same swab to put up your nose.

Please note that you can decide to only do a nose swab.

After putting the swab in the test tube, which should have the capsuled liquid inside, you will squirt it out onto the lateral flow device and wait up to 15 minutes for your result.

One red line at the top means that the result is negative, two lines - even if one is very faint - means that the person tested positive for Covid-19. However, if nothing comes up this means that the results are void.

How much do they cost and how can I get lateral flow tests for free?

Throughout the peak of the Covid pandemic, lateral flow tests were totally free for everyone across the United Kingdom as the government stepped up their efforts to tackle the virus.

However, after the immunisation of a large number of the population through jabs and boosters, the need for tests has reduced so they are no longer free for everyone.

To find out if you qualify for free lateral flow testing kits, you must fit one of the following criteria:

• You have a health condition which means you are eligible for Covid-19 treatments, such as having symptoms of the virus
• If you are going into hospital for a routine inspection or surgery procedure, it should be outlined in a letter whether you require a test
• If you work for the NHS or in adult social care employment such as a social worker

You can purchase lateral flow tests from various retailers, sellers and companies: such as Lloyds Pharmacies that sell testing kits from £1.89 per unit or £17 for 10 and Superdrug, who sell tests for £1.85 per test or £9.59 for a pack of five.

To see if you are eligible for a free test, visit the official UK government website.

Where can I pick up Covid lateral flow tests in Bristol?

The main sites that lateral flow tests can be picked up from in Bristol is by visiting one of the city’s many pharmacies.

The following are pharmacies in Bristol that offer lateral flow tests:

• Lloyds Pharmacy: Ashton Gate, 244-246 North Street - BS3 1JD (0117 966 1170)
• Lloyds Pharmacy: Downton Road, 2 Knowle West Health Park - BS4 1WH (0117 966 3632)
• Lloyds Pharmacy: Regent Road, Bedminster - BS3 4AT (0117 963 9468)
• Lloyds Pharmacy: Knowle, 335 Wells Road - BS4 2QB (0117 971 7445)
• Bedminster Pharmacy: 4-6 Cannon Street, Avon - BS3 1BN (0117 985 3388)
• Stokes Croft Pharmacy: St Paul’s, 40-48 Stokes Croft - BS1 3QD (0117 942 6941)
• Kellaway Pharmacy: Westbury Park, 18 Kellaway Avenue - BS6 7XR (0117 924 6579)
• Superdrug Pharmacy: Avon, 39-43 Broadmead - BS1 3EU (0117 929 4375)

To find your nearest pharmacy, you can visit the NHS pharmacy finder where you input information such as your city or postcode.