Gatwick Airport site to become coronavirus test centre for NHS staff

A long-stay car park at Gatwick Airport is being used as a drive-through coronavirus test centre for NHS staff.
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The site, which will also be used to test ‘invited key workers’, opened today and will be available daily from 9am - 5pm on an appointment-only basis.

Gatwick Airport chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “We are pleased to support the national effort against the spread of the coronavirus by allowing Gatwick facilities to be used as a vital testing centre for frontline health workers.

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“We have the space available at Gatwick to be able to host such a large-scale operation.

Gatwick Airport. Pic: Derek MartinGatwick Airport. Pic: Derek Martin
Gatwick Airport. Pic: Derek Martin

“Alongside keeping the airport open to support repatriation flights, amongst others, we are happy to be able to support the NHS, Government and the country in whatever way we can.”

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.

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“This is a national effort and we are proud to be working with a number of partners to turn this ambition into a reality and roll out additional capacity to where it is needed.”

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