Town car park becomes testing centre

An Ilfracombe car park is doubling as a testing centre in the fight against coronavirus. Ilfracombe Town Council’s car park at Ropery Road has become a Covid-19 swab hub.

At the time of the June magazine going to print, the council has said the car park will be closed every Friday and Tuesday until further notice to allow testing to take place. All vehicles must be moved by 9pm the night before.

The hub became operational from Friday, May 15. Testing at the site is only available for those who have booked on the Gov.uk website. It has been stressed that no drop-ins will be permitted and that those who do arrive without an appointment will be turned away.

You can book a test by visiting www. gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test or over the telephone by calling 111. The process for the testing station is as follows:

- People will only attend if they have been booked in previously and are logged.
- People cannot just turn up and ask to be tested. They will be turned away
- Those attending will be asked to complete a form whilst sitting in their car
- They must arrive by car and keep all windows up until a nurse is ready for them
- They will wind down the window for the test, hand in the papers and then wind it up again
- They will then depart
- All PPE changes will be done in a gazebo in the car park
- The unit will be dismantled and cleaned down after every session

A spokesman for Ilfracombe Town Council said: “The NHS has said this is a tested process and has been done elsewhere in supermarket car parks and public car parks. It is very well controlled and safety of the area, staff and those visiting is of the upmost importance. Everyone must maintain social distancing except nurses who will be wearing PPE.”