East Lothian Council is working with partners to respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Local authorities were asked to identify potentially suitable sites for temporary drive-through, mobile testing units to support the UK Government’s COVID-19 testing programme.
The former Cockenzie Power Station site, which is owned by East Lothian Council, has been identified as a location which is suitable for this purpose.
A mobile testing unit at the former Cockenzie Power Site would be managed and staffed by military personnel, who would be responsible for its safe operation. Military staff would make appropriate use of PPE and no equipment will be left on site whilst the facility is closed. Its operation would pose no risk to the public.
We expect that the facility would operate as a self-contained, drive-through facility. People will remain in their vehicle whilst being tested. Initially, we understand it would operate over two, three-day periods.
Tom Reid, Head of Infrastructure, East Lothian Council, said: “We were asked to identify a potentially suitable site for a drive-through, mobile testing facility to be located. The former Cockenzie Power Station site was identified as a site which could be operated safely by military personnel. This facility would enable key workers who are self-isolating due to them or household members displaying symptoms to undergo testing, which is a vital component of the national response to tackling COVID-19. East Lothian Council will continue to play its part and work with partners locally and nationally in dealing with the challenges posed by the emergency.”
The facility will provide tests for key workers who are self-isolating due to them or household members displaying symptoms. We understand key workers and their family members would be eligible for testing.
Access to COVID-19 testing is widened to include key workers from a broader range of private and public sector workers and essential services. Testing continues to be targeted at key workers who are self-isolating because they are symptomatic, or have household members who are symptomatic, to help enable critical workers return to work as soon as safely possible. Key workers who are, or have a family member who is, symptomatic, can sign up via a government self-referral portal.