Drive-by test clinic at Croke Park will see eight patients every 15 minutes
THE Croke Park Covid-19 testing centre will see an average of eight cars attending every 15 minutes and operate seven days a week for 12 hours a day when it becomes fully operational.
Further details for the site have emerged after it was confirmed yesterday that the GAA had agreed to a “high-level” request from the HSE to make the stadium a testing centre for north Dublin.
The service will be provided on an appointment-only basis via a GP, and at no stage will visitors leave their cars.
It’s expected that those availing of the test will be processed in the Cusack Stand car park, before driving through the tunnel and leaving the stadium via St Joseph’s.
In a message to residents, the HSE’s Mellany McLoone thanked residents and the GAA for their support.
“As you are aware, we have now moved to the next phase of Covid-19,” she wrote.
“While this is a challenging time, we are all working together for the benefit of our community.
“Many people will need testing for Covid-19 over the coming months.
“A number of locations nationally will be used as designated testing centres.
“Croke Park is one of the designated testing centres for north Dublin.”
She said many of those who attend for testing will have a negative result.
“However, by ensuring testing occurs where needed, we will be in a position to provide services to those who need it most, and minimise the risk to our wider community.”
She added: “We thank local residents, Croke Park and the GAA for your support during this time.
“Our collective efforts now will mean that we will be in a position to provide timely access to people who need it.”
Ms McLoone went on to urge any visitors to the site to have their appointment number ready and remain in their vehicles at all times.
A picture of the centre was yesterday circulated on social media.
It is understood that once cars pull up, passengers are handed a sheet of instructions on how to proceed.
The centre is used as a by-appointment-only testing facility.
HSE chief Paul Reid said he also hopes to use Navy ships as test centres for the new coronavirus.
Patients who have contacted their GP and been referred for a test would be able to provide a swab on the ship, which would be sent to a lab for analysis.
The crew on these ships have experience in taking swabs, having worked in areas such as the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, supermarket chain SuperValu has begun doing headcounts in store.
Owner and manager in Ballymun Robert Murphy said that headcounts are being done to monitor the numbers of people in the store.
“We reckon about 120 with the square footage of our store is about right.
“We’re doing a headcount as people are coming in and leaving, and it’s difficult, I must say,” he said.
While there aren’t queues forming outside of the shop, the numbers are being closely monitored by staff.
“We feel that 120 is OK in this store with the amount of aisles we have and the way we have the queueing system in the store,” he added.
There are also markings on the floor to ensure customers waiting in line are engaging in social distancing.