Covid-19 testing centre open now in Elgin
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The walk-through coronavirus testing centre at Lossie Green car park in Elgin has opened today.
- Tests must be booked in advance at www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 0800 028 2816.
- The centre will operate seven days a week, with appointments available from 8am to 8pm.
- People should only book at test if they have coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste.
- People travelling to and from the test centre must NOT use taxis or public transport.
- They should wear a face covering while travelling and in the centre.
- The tests are self-administered. This involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat.
- The process only takes a few minutes and full instructions are provided.
- Staff are on hand to provide additional support for vulnerable people and those with disabilities.
- Anyone testing positive will be contacted by NHS Scotland tracers who will help them identify those they have been in contact with, protecting others from further transmission.
- Close contacts will also hear from the tracers and be asked to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.
Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, welcomed the opening of the centre.
He said: "Key workers such as health and social care workers have been able to access testing in Moray for many months now using a Scottish Government/NHS supported facility.
"The general public have been able to book tests for drive through testing in Elgin twice a week through the UK Government testing arrangements.
"In recent weeks I have been pushing really hard to get one of the walk through testing centres in Elgin to make testing even more accessible for people, as Moray is geographically further from major test sites than many other areas.
"There are many people who don’t drive and the addition of this new testing option both increases testing capacity in Moray and gives people more options to get a test.
"This is all the more critical as we head into the winter months.
"The ongoing investment in expanding testing is very welcome indeed and is a critical part of the range of measures being used to tackle Coronavirus.
"It is of course vital that people continue to maintain physical distancing, regular hand washing, wearing face coverings when they should and following the Covid Level rules that apply."
Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart, stated that the UK Government is providing the bulk of Covid testing in Scotland, with the capacity to process more than 500,000 tests a day now available across the whole of the UK.
He said: "Testing is vital, helping to manage local outbreaks and protecting people’s livelihoods.
"These sites are not possible without the hard work of many people. I would like to thank everyone involved for their incredible efforts for the good of the country at this difficult time."
Six drive through testing sites are being provided in Scotland at Prestwick, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports, at the Inverness campus of the University of the Highlands and Islands, plus Dudhope Castle in Dundee
Another 22 walk-through centres are being set up across Scotland.
