North East Lincolnshire is to get a Local Testing Site for COVID-19, Council bosses have announced today.
As part of the rollout of a national network of diagnostic testing facilities, the authority has negotiated the establishment of a local site, expected to be available in early October, on the Duchess Street Car Park in Grimsby.
This site has been in use for some of the COVID-19 mobile testing unit since June but this is only available on selected days each month. Once the local testing site is established, testing should be available every day.
The site was chosen following discussions with Deloitte who have been commissioned by the Government to establish these sites in areas of the country where access to regional testing centres, such as the one at the Humber Bridge, can be difficult for residents who don’t have access to vehicles.
The decision to establish the site has been agreed by the Council and the site is expected to be up and running in October. Further details will be released once they are known, but at this stage, it’s expected to help people who would find it easier to access Grimsby than to access others such as the Humber Bridge or Lincoln.
Council Leader Philip Jackson welcomed the agreement, which followed detailed discussions led by the Council’s public health team.
“Everyone in North East Lincolnshire has played their part in tackling COVID and this news is further evidence of us all working together to ensure local people are safe,’’ he added.
“I’m sure our residents will be pleased to know they’ll have somewhere local to go and be tested if necessary.
“But while people with symptoms absolutely must come forward to get a test to help us stop the spread of the virus, it’s also important that as we manage this period of high demand, if you don’t have symptoms, and have not specifically been advised to take a test, then please don’t come forward for one because they could be taking a test away from someone who really needs it. ‘’
It’s expected the site survey will take place at the end of this month, prior to construction on October 1st and a pilot exercise on October 2nd before the station is fully operational.
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