Full-time Covid-19 testing centre set to open in Scarborough

A full-time Covid-19 testing centre is set to open in Scarborough.

North Yorkshire County Council says it will mean an increase in testing capacity for people experiencing symptoms in the county.

The local testing site is part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities.

Through the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which brings together councils, emergency services and health organisations to tackle the pandemic, the county successfully made the case for the permanent centres to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

North Yorkshire’s Director of Public Health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, said:

“We have worked hard to retain and increase the level of testing across the county, so we are pleased that our efforts have resulted in the creation of these two sites, which will be up and running shortly. We will continue to lobby for further expansion of testing facilities across the county.”

The Scarborough local testing site will be on William Street Car Park outside The Street and construction is likely to be at the beginning of November.

After an initial pilot period, the centres will open between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week.

The site will be a walk-through centre, meaning people can arrive on foot rather than having to drive in. People must book tests in advance (visit nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119).

Mobile testing units will continue to operate at locations around the county.

Testing is available only for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.

The Scarborough site will be constructed by the DHSC.