Drive-thru testing centre in Coventry car park confirmed

It will be there for a fortnight



A new drive-thru Covid-19 testing centre is to open in a Coventry city centre car park next week.

The mobile unit will operate in Moat Street car park, close to the Sky Dome, as part of a national drive to improve accessibility for coronavirus testing for local communities.

The new facility will be on site for a fortnight between Monday, August 3, until Sunday, August 16, when a decision will be taken to determine if the mobile unit should be moved elsewhere.

The drive-thru site will be booking only.

Testing is for anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Swab tests take less than a minute, with results received the next day.

Liz Gaulton, Director of Public Health at Coventry City Council, said: “Testing units like this allow Coventry residents who develop symptoms to quickly get a test and find out whether they need to stay at home with their household or can safely return to work or more normal life.

“This is a national effort and we are proud to be working with our partners to reduce the number of cases and build the capability needed to protect the city from coronavirus.”

Those being tested will be required to follow government guidelines, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, washing their hands thoroughly before and after and wearing a face covering throughout, including travelling to and from the testing unit.

Anyone attending an appointment will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely.

The unit will complement the existing regional testing centre that is based at the Ricoh Arena.

Leader of Coventry City Council councillor George Duggins added: “The success of the test and trace programme is vital if we are to tackle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Creating this mobile facility is an opportunity to make testing more accessible for Coventry residents.

“I encourage anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, however mild, to book a test and anyone contacted by NHS Test and Trace to follow their advice to protect those close to them.”

So how are people without cars supposed to get tested, or don't they matter?

So how are people without cars supposed to get tested, or don't they matter?

Like much that's going on, the left and right hands don't seem to be connected!

Covid testing centre in Coventry closed due to snow



One of the city's Covid testing centres has been shut due to the snowy weather.

Coventry City Council announced the news this morning that the Moat Street car park testing centre is currently shut.

The centre tests those without symptoms and people can turn up without an appointment

The council says it will keep people updated as to when it will reopen.

In the meantime, three other testing centres in Coventry remain open.

They are at: Coventry Transport Museum, the Indian Community Centre in Cross Road, Foleshill, and at Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre in Winston Avenue, Wood End.

It will be there for a fortnight

That was a long 'fortnight'!