Scotland's first 'self-cleaning' walk-in COVID testing centre opens in Dundee
Three mobile cabins are ready for bookings in the City of Discovery.
Last updated 16th Oct 2020
The UK government is funding three mobile cabins in Dundee where tests can be taken, before it's couriered to a lab in Glasgow.
It's the first self-cleaning walk through coronavirus testing centre in Scotland.
People need to book to take a test, after which the pod is then cleaned using a fogging machine, which takes three minutes to kill any the bacteria.
It's situated at the Park Place carpark in Dundee City Centre.
Another centre is opening in Edinburgh on Saturday 17th October.
Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, the First Minister announced the new facilities, which will add to seven other such sites across the country, most of which are intended to allow students to get tested.
However, the First Minister said that the centres, would also be available to non-students.
The Dundee walk through testing centre brings the total number to eight in Scotland.
The existing sites are in St Andrews, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, West Dunbartonshire, Stirling and two in Glasgow.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Centres like this can be operational in a matter of days, and we are working at pace with NHS National Services Scotland and local authorities to roll out more across the country so that more people have access to local testing.
“We will continue to adapt our testing strategy in line with the different stages of the pandemic. However, testing is only one effective intervention that we are using to manage the virus and it remains vital that people continue to follow physical distancing advice and practise good hand and cough hygiene not just for their own safety but in order to protect others.”
Outsourcing company Mitie is being used to manage the facility.
Simon Venn, Mitie Chief Government & Strategy Officer, said: “Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the UK Government with this vital task.
"A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Dundee, who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.”
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