Mass Coronavirus testing starts in Merthyr

The pilot scheme will be supported by the armed forces

Dr McMahon expressed his condolences to people who lost loved ones during the pandemic
Author: Polly OliverPublished 21st Nov 2020

Mass Covid-19 testing begins today in Methyr.

The first site will open at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre with more opening later this month

Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford said it was hoped people would all take part:

"We will offer testing to everyone living and working in the local authority area in the coming months and I hope of course as many of Merthyr's citizens as possible will come forward to take part.

Mr Drakeford said the process in Merthyr would be part of a learning basis:

"When we've learnt what works and doesn't work in a Welsh context we will hope that we will be able to use that to see whether we can do this again in other parts of Wales where the need arises."

The military are supporting the joint pilot testing programme which is a partnership of the Welsh Government, UK Government, Merthyr Tydfil Council, local Health Board and the Ministry of Defence.