Fast-turnaround testing on campus
For Loughborough University students, staff and Doctoral Researchers who do not have Covid symptoms but need to know if they are Covid positive
About the fast-turnaround test
It is called a lateral flow antigen test and it detects the coronavirus antigen that is produced when a person is infectious with coronavirus. The test is designed to detect the level of virus in people who do not experience and show any symptoms (i.e. they are asymptomatic), but who could still be infectious and pass the virus to others.
The test produces a result within 30 minutes and does not require a laboratory to be processed.
Please note that if you have symptoms of Covid-19 you should book in for a test through the existing route via the University’s Connect and Protect service.
Student testing from the start of the 2021-22 academic year
It is a requirement that all students returning to the University take an asymptomatic Lateral Flow Test the day before they travel. If you test positive, you must not travel to campus, as you may be turned away.
You must also take a Lateral Flow Test at our on-site Test Centre on the day of your arrival and/or before accessing accommodation or any facilities, and take another test three days after your arrival. These asymptomatic tests can be booked through the Connect and Protect service. Our Covid team will contact any students who fail to take a test on day 3.
You will then be required to take weekly Lateral Flow Tests at our onsite testing centre throughout the autumn term.
If any of your lateral flow tests is positive, you will need to take a confirmatory PCR test, bookable through the Connect and Protect service.
Compliance with the University's Covid testing requirements will be monitored and the University may not allow students access to University facilities if they have not complied with our testing regime.
Testing for staff and Doctoral Researchers
Staff and Doctoral Researchers are strongly encouraged to have at least one Covid test each week if they are attending campus to work for any duration. This includes colleagues who have been vaccinated.
If your lateral flow test is positive, you will need to take a confirmatory PCR test.
How to book a test at the University
Tests will be carried out at the Martial Arts Centre on the Loughborough campus.
The testing centre is currently open from 7.30am to 6pm daily.
To make an appointment for a test you should book in through the existing route via the University’s Connect and Protect service but stating you are asymptomatic.
You will receive an email with your time, appointment details and instructions for taking the test. After your test has been carried out, you should return home/wait for your result.
Your result will be provided for you in writing via NHS SMS/email (depending on what you register) and you will receive an email from the Asymptomatic Testing Centre.
Taking a test at home
A home testing service is now available through the University to those who meet certain criteria.
To request to use the service
You will need to fill out this form to request to use the home testing service. You will then be notified by email if your request has been approved and sent a confirmation email with a QR code.
Students are still required to have tests at the Asymptomatic Testing Centre (in the Martial Arts Centre) unless they are commuter students or they have accessibility-related issues that make home testing more appropriate. If this is the case, please provide these details when filling out the form.
Collecting testing kits
Home testing kits are available for collection from the Martial Arts Centre on the Loughborough campus or the main reception desk on the London campus. You must show your confirmation QR code when collecting your tests, otherwise you will not be able to take the tests away. You will receive one box containing seven tests each time you visit the centre.
Logging your test results
As well as logging your results with the NHS, you must log your test results on the University’s home testing kit logging app. You'll need to download Microsoft PowerApps from the Apple App Store or the Google Play store. Log in using your University log in details (you may need to use your ‘@lunet.lboro.ac.uk’ email address), go to ‘All Apps’ and search for ‘Loughborough University Home Testing’. Allow the app to access the camera, Outlook connector and Office 365.
You will then be able to log your results by following the on-screen instructions.