Walk-through proposed for Covid testing
But unused warehouse site venue yet to be accepted by government
A PROPOSED new Covid testing site in the north of Portsmouth will be a walk-through centre – not a drive-through, it has been confirmed.
The city council revealed it has offered the government a site in an unused warehouse in Northharbour Road in Cosham, near the South Central Ambulance Service station.
As reported, council leader Councillor Gerald VernonJackson previously told The News a drive-in centre would be provided at the site and that government had approved it.
However, the council has now said it will be a walkthrough venue and has yet to be accepted by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
It comes after the site at Tipner off the M275 was packed up overnight last week without DHSC officials telling Portsmouth City Council. It was due to be moved to Southampton Airport.
The Tipner site could only be used temporarily as it is needed to triage lorries heading to the port in the event of a no-deal Brexit causing tailbacks that would otherwise congest the M275 and M27.
The DHSC will assess the proposed site and decide whether to run a centre there.
Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: ‘It’s important we have as many opportunities for people to be tested in the city as possible, so I’m very pleased we’ve been able to offer this site in Cosham.’
There is already a local walk-through centre at the Eldon car park at the University of Portsmouth, in the south of the city.
Tests at walk-through and drive-through centres must be booked in advance.
The DHSC has been repeatedly approached for comment.
It’s important we have as many opportunities for people to be tested in city Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson