PERMANENT COVID-19 TEST CENTRE TO BE SET UP
MOVE COMES AMID NATIONWIDE TESTING CHAOS AND FEARS OF NATIONAL LOCKDOWN
A PERMANENT coronavirus testing centre is going to be set up in Grimsby. It will be on the Duchess Street car park, which mobile testing units have been visiting since June.
The mobile unit was only available on certain days each month, but the new one will make coronavirus testing available every day.
While there is no exact opening date confirmed for the testing centre, it is expected to be early October.
This site is one of many local centres that are being rolled out nationally as the government sets out to increase its testing capacity. Duchess Street car park was chosen following discussions between North East Lincolnshire Council and Deloitte, who have been commissioned by the government to find suitable locations across the UK, especially when access to regional testing centres is limited.
This was especially valid for North East Lincolnshire, as the nearest testing centres at the Humber Bridge and Lincoln are not easily accessible for people without vehicles.
Council Leader Philip Jackson welcomed the agreement, which followed detailed discussions led by the council’s public health team.
He said: “Everyone in North East Lincolnshire has played their part in tackling Covid and this news is further evidence of us all working together to ensure local people are safe.
“I’m sure our residents will be pleased to know they’ll have somewhere local to go and be tested if necessary.
“But while people with symptoms absolutely must come forward to get a test to help us stop the spread of the virus, it’s also important that as we manage this period of high demand, if you don’t have symptoms, and have not specifically been advised to take a test, then please don’t come forward for one because they could be taking a test away from someone who really needs it. “
It’s expected the site survey will take place at the end of this month, prior to construction on October 1 and a pilot exercise on October 2 before the station is fully operational. This news comes as the Government has come under significant scrutiny for the lack of tests available, with people being forced to drive hours to the nearest available testing site while the ones nearby remain empty.
The lack of Covid-19 tests available is both due to a significant rise in coronavirus cases nationwide and an increasing backlog of tests waiting to be processed.
Some have even been sent to laboratories in the EU as thousands remain unprocessed.
I’m sure our residents will be pleased to know they’ll have somewhere local to go and be tested if necessary