New UK Government Covid testing site opens in Aberdeen

The UK Government has today, Friday 23 July, opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

The test centre is located at Car Park 4, Garthdee Campus, Robert Gordon University, AB10 7AQ. It is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland, this comprises of eight drive through sites, more than 50 walk-through sites, 42 mobile units, plus the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is working round the clock to process samples.

In Scotland, the UK Government is providing all COVID testing and test processing outside of the NHS.

PCR tests must be booked in advance at: NHS Inform or by calling 119. People should only book a test if they have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) or have been instructed to do so by a clinician or NHS contact tracer.

Lateral flow test kits are also now available for pick up without an appointment at the majority of our local walk-in or drive-through test sites from 3.30pm each day. Tests can also be ordered online or by phone by calling 119. For more information and to order a test kit online, go to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland – gov.scot

Health Minister, Lord Bethell, said:

We have built the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities in British history to ensure that everyone can get tested for covid-19 regularly. As a result, the UK is now a testing juggernaut, performing more tests than any comparable European country, which is helping to break chains of transmission, save lives and detect variants of concern.

New walk-in sites like this one make it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted, to protect others and stop the spread of the virus.

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart said:

The UK Government continues to provide the bulk of testing in Scotland, a programme which is vital to our recovery from this pandemic. Alongside the roll-out of UK Government-funded vaccines, testing is helping us to manage the virus, slow down the rate of transmission and protect communities.

I’d like to thank the public for continuing to do the right thing by coming forward to be tested.

This new walk-through facility in Aberdeen is the latest in our extensive network of testing centres supporting people in all parts of the UK.

Vicki Nairn, Vice Principal Corporate Operations at Robert Gordon University said:

Robert Gordon University welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the local COVID-19 testing programme by offering our campus as a testing site.

This will not only benefit the wider community in this area but our own staff and students as they look to return to campus to begin the new term in September.

We will continue to support the UK and Scottish governments and the NHS in their wider efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Simon Venn, Mitie Chief Government & Strategy Officer, said:

Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and help keep the country running. Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the UK Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Aberdeen who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.