NHS and other key workers will soon be able to get tested for coronavirus at a drive-through facility in York.
It has been revealed that a Covid-19 testing facility will be opened at Poppleton Park & Ride on Sunday.
Part of a UK-wide drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS and other key workers, the station is one of 50 regional centres being set up by the government.
It will work on an appointment-only basis for key workers.
The testing centre is being operated in partnership with Serco and Boots, and will offer assisted and self-administered tests. Those tested will receive their results within a few days.
Richard Flinton, chair of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum said:
The centre serving North Yorkshire LRF area will be a hugely valuable asset in the region’s fight against the impact of coronavirus – particularly in helping critical key workers, like health and social care staff, return to work.
Making sure these front line staff can support their NHS partners with hospital discharges and residential care providers with managing admissions to care homes as well being able to continue to provide important safeguarding roles is essential.
Police and fire officers
Mr Flinton added: “The fact that the facility will also allow a broad range of other LRF partners access to testing including we hope police and fire officers, without really long round trips, is also very welcome.”
First York, which runs York’s Park&Ride buses with the council, said: “We are working closely with the council to enable key workers to travel during the fight against coronavirus, and helping to make this site available for testing is another way we can support them to be at work or stay safe.”
Kevin Craven, Serco CEO for UK and Europe, said he was pleased to be supporting the Government and the NHS in setting up and managing the new testing centre in York.
Some Boots staff have volunteered to run the Covid-19 testing station.
The Government says the network will provide thousands more PCR swab tests – which are used to identify if you currently have the virus – for critical key workers, starting with NHS front line staff.
It hopes the tests will mean those who test negative for coronavirus can return to work as soon as possible, and those who test positive are able to recover.