The first pictures of the new coronavirus drive through test centre in Milton Keynes have been published, reports MKFM.
The test centre opened today and if the pilot is successful, the fully operational site will allow NHS, carers and their family members to get tested for COVID-19 as part of the Government’s plans to ramp up testing and protect health care workers. Residents must be referred for a test and can not arrive at the site without an appointment.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, commented, “I’m really pleased to be able to confirm the opening of a drive through coronavirus testing facility in Milton Keynes.”
“We are making sure our wonderful health care workers who put their lives on the line for us every single day are absolutely priorities to get tested and this is making sure they are getting put first.”
He went onto say, “I can’t thank NHS, social care workers and so many others in the health industry enough for all their hard work at such a difficult time and I’m pleased local workers here in MK will be able to benefit from extra testing.”
Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, said, “This will be an important additional facility to help monitor the spread of the disease and help us return to normal at the appropriate time.”
The Government has also announced an extended list of key workers who can be tested for coronavirus.
These include:
– police, fire and rescue services
– local authority staff, including those working with vulnerable children, adults and victims of domestic abuse, and those working with the homeless and rough sleepers
– defence, prisons and probation staff, and judiciary
– frontline benefits workers.
