Coronavirus in Edinburgh: Walk-through Covid testing centre opens in Niddrie

The walk-through site is located at the shared car park of the Jack Kane Leisure Centre and Jack Kane Community Centre in Niddrie, Edinburgh.

The centre is the 32nd of its kind in Scotland and will have a daily capacity of 300 tests for people with covid symptoms.

Mairi Gougeon, Minister for Public Health and Sport said: “Containing and suppressing this virus relies on testing being accessible to everyone.

"The walk through testing centre in Edinburgh Niddrie will further increase our testing capacity ahead of potential spikes as we move through winter.

“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. To protect ourselves and others, it’s vital that people continue to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces, avoid crowded places, clean hands and surfaces regularly, follow two metre physical distancing advice, and self-isolate and book a test – if you have symptoms.”

The Scottish Government is working with the UK Government on rolling out further walk-through local test sites.

Anyone with symptoms such as a high temperature or fever, a new continuous cough, a loss of, or change in sense of smell or taste should book a test at the NHS Inform Test and Protect webpage or call 0800 028 281.

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.