Haydock Park racecourse© Photo Healy Racing
A drive-in coronavirus testing centre is to open Haydock Park as part of the British Government’s drive to increase testing for health workers.
The site is part of a network of testing centres being set up around the UK, and will operate on an appointment basis for self-isolating key NHS workers, or the symptomatic members of their family. These NHS workers will be selected and contacted directly by their NHS Trust.
This follows the launch of the Government’s partnership with universities, research institutes and companies to begin roll out of the network of new labs and field testing sites across the UK, with 13 new testing centres opened to date.
Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “The Government is rapidly scaling up the national effort to boost testing capacity for coronavirus to protect the vulnerable, support our NHS, and ultimately save lives.
“This new service will help end the uncertainty of whether NHS and social care staff need to stay at home meaning those who test negative will be able to return to work.
The Haydock Racecourse Testing Centre — which will operate in part of the racecourse car park — is being staffed by G4S and operated in partnership with Boots. It provides up to 5 drive-through lanes, in operation from 9am to 5pm.
Dickon White, Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses North West, said: “Due to the coronavirus outbreak horse racing and other events have been suspended, so we’re delighted to provide Haydock Park as a testing site for NHS staff who are doing such an amazing job for us all.
“Haydock Park is ideally located near to Manchester, Liverpool and other major North West towns, as well as having very good transport links, so hopefully an ideal and easy location for NHS staff to get to.”
Cork Racecourse is also being used as a testing facility for Coronavirus. The site on the outskirts of the town of Mallow is also a drive through facility but is available to the members of the public by appointment.
