Key workers in capital still unable to get tested unless they drive

KEY workers in Cardiff have been unable to get a coronavirus test unless they drive.

Many key workers who don’t drive or have access to a car have been unable to be tested as they need a car in order to access the city’s “drive-in” test centres.

This has left them with the option to either not be tested or to ask someone else to drive them – when they potentially have this deadly disease.

A key worker who did not wish to be named said: “After doing some research and asking via email, I confirmed that if you present with symptoms in Cardiff as a key worker or family member of a key worker (all who are presently considered applicable for testing), if you do not have a car you cannot be tested for the virus.

“The testing in Cardiff is strictly drive-through only, so anyone who uses public transport by default is at extreme risk as they are likely to be unable to get private transportation to get tested upon presenting symptoms.”

Plaid Cymru shadow minister for health Rhun ap Iorwerth MS called on the Welsh Government to change this. He said: “It has to be recognised that many of the key workers that are most at risk – those working for care homes, for example – won’t have a car. There has to be a guarantee from Welsh Government that each and every one of them will have access to either a test at work or a home testing kit, so they are not excluded in any way from the testing programme.”

In response to this, the Welsh Government said it had introduced home testing kits through the NHS England-run website. However when the Echo spoke to the key worker, this was not available.

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “Critical workers who do not have access to a car can order a home testing kit via the UK-wide booking website.

“They may also be able to have a test at one of the 20 Community Testing Units across Wales, which are largely linked to healthcare settings. The eight mobile testing units deployed by the health boards are being used to support localised testing where it is needed.”