COVID-19 Testing information

Testing for COVID-19 plays an important role in keeping Torbay’s infection rate down, enabling the roadmap out of lockdown.

There are two types of tests available in Torbay:

PCR testing for people with COVID-19 symptoms: Anyone with a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, or loss or change to sense of taste or smell, should immediately book a test at one of our local testing sites in Torquay or Paignton, or apply for a home testing kit. For more information visit Testing for people with COVID-19 symptoms.

Rapid LFD testing for people without symptoms: One in three people with COVID-19 shows no symptoms and could be spreading the virus without realising it.  It is still possible to transmit the virus after vaccination.

Therefore, we are offering free community testing for anyone without symptoms.  People can book a test or drop in at our new community testing site at Quay West Car Park in Goodrington. For more information please go to Community testing for people with NO COVID-19 symptoms - Torbay Council

Businesses are urged to encourage their employees to take up regular community testing to keep their workplaces as COVID-19 safe as possible. Staff can book tests at the Quay West site.  Any registered business or charity can also apply for LFD test kits to be sent to their premises for employees to do themselves on site. This can be done directly through the Goverment website.  

More information about testing is available at Community Testing for people with NO COVID-19 symptoms.

Secondary school pupils are required to carry out twice-weekly LFD tests at home.

Households and bubbles of pupils, students and staff of schools, nurseries and colleges can collect home LFD tests from the Local Testing Site at Clennon Valley Car Park.

These pages will be updated as Government policy on testing develops, as new testing arrangements are introduced in Torbay.