Temporary coronavirus testing station opens in Galashiels car park today

Both key workers and their family members are eligible for testing, although test slots have to be booked online through the UK Government website here.

Scottish Borders Council has worked through the Regional Resilience Partnership to put in place the arrangements to support the UK Government’s testing programme.

The testing site will only be open from today (Friday, May 1) to Tuesday, May 5, and will be entirely operated by the military.

A council spokesman said: “The establishment of the testing unit poses no risk to the public and no equipment will be left at the site at the end of each day of testing.”

Tracey Logan, the council’s chief executive, told us: “I am delighted that we have managed to work with partners to quickly put in place plans to provide drive-through testing for key workers in the Scottish Borders.

“I’d urge any key worker who is self-isolating, either because they themselves have symptoms of COVID-19 or because a member of their household is, to book tests.”

Who can access testing

The following groups can access testing in Scotland, with those in Priority Group 1 able to access testing through existing NHS testing capacity.

○ Priority Group 1: Health and social care workers; staff working in residential institutions and essential roles where service resilience is at risk.

○ Priority Group 2: Essential workers in critical national infrastructure fundamental for safety and security, and life-line services.

○ Priority Group 3: Staff directly involved in delivering other essential services.

○ Priority Group 4: Staff involved in volunteering, or in nationally or locally significant industry important to economic sustainability and growth.