Staff concern as those wanting COVID-19 tests still turn up at NI DVA centre without masks

Workers at the DVA Centre in Carn, Portadown said they are ‘very concerned’ about people showing up for COVID-19 tests even though that testing centre has moved to another part of Portadown.

While the DVA Centre had, until two weeks ago, been a testing centre for COVID-19, those wishing tests are now requested to go to the Central Sports Arena at Kernan Kill Road, in Portadown.

One worker at the Carn DVA depot said staff there were concerned for their health and those of clients awaiting MOTs that people were just arriving for tests unaware the COVID-19 testing site had moved.

“They are just landing and getting out of their cars, some not even wearing masks, and asking staff where to go,” he said.

“The workers at the depot are very concnerned about them turning up and not showing social distancing,” he said.

He added that when there was COVID-19 testing, those arriving had been asked to stay in their cars and only roll their window down slightly to accept the test.

“They are getting out of their car with no masks.

“The staff here are very concerned,” he said.

The Department of Health explained that the new testing centre is now at the Central Sports Areana at Kernan Hill Road, Craigavon, BT63 5PY.

The spokesperson said: “Testing for essential workers and the general public is currently conducted in fixed drive-through sites operating at the Central Sports Arena and a number of other sites across NI, including: SSE test centre, Odyssey Car park, Belfast BT3 9QQ; Derry/Londonderry site: The LYCRA Company Car park, near The Rec Club. (Approach using A2 Clooney Road from ‘Maydown Roundabout’ towards Coleraine / Limavady following E-signs; St Angelo Airport, 62 Killadeas Road, Trory, Enniskillen BT94 2FP

All centres are open seven days a week 10.00am – 5.00pm, with the exception of SSE which opens 9.30am - 5.30pm.

Booking can be made for morning test slots from 6pm the previous day. Afternoon booking slots are released at 10am on the day of testing.

In addition to the four fixed sites, mobile testing units operate across Northern Ireland.

Mobile testing units provide a temporary testing site that can be set up quickly in response to local demand. The mobile testing units are currently at: Lough Moss Leisure Centre Hillsborough Road, Belfast, BT8 8H; Albert Basin/St Christopher Park, William Street, Newry BT34 2D; Dobbin Centre Car Park, Dobbin Street Lane, Armagh, BT61 7QL; Melvin Sports Complex, Melvin Road, Strabane, BT82 9PP; Marks Arena, Antrim Forum (Lough Road, Antrim, BT41 4DQ); St. Johns Hall, 3 Lurgan Rd, Crumlin, BT29 4; Ballymena Showgrounds, Warden Street, Ballymena, BT43 7DR.

Walk in test sites are at Botanic Park, Stranmillis Embankment, Belfast BT9 5EX - this site is open 8am-apm and Magee Ulster University, Northland Road, Londonderry, BT48 7JL.

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