LAST UPDATE | 31 Mar 2021

SEVEN NEW WALK-IN Covid-19 testing centres for asymptomatic people will be set up at various locations around Ireland this week, where there is a high rate of coronavirus infections.

The centres will replace the five pop up test locations that were set up last week, which are closing this evening. 

No GP appointment is needed in order to attend one of the centres and no fee applies. People with symptoms of Covid-19 are still encouraged to arrange a test through a GP. 

Anyone attending the centres must bring a photo ID and provide a mobile phone number so they can be contacted with their results.

The testing centres will be open from 11am to 7pm for three to seven days.

Three of the facilities will open tomorrow and the four others will begin testing on Friday.

The centres opening tomorrow are:

• City of Dublin Education and Training Board, Coláiste Eoin, Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin (for 7 days)
• Quay Street Car Park, Balbriggan, Dublin (for 7 days)
• Navan O’Mahonys GAA Club, Paddy O’Brien Park, Navan, Meath (for 5 days)

The centres opening on Friday are:

• Naas Racecourse, Tipper Road, Naas, Kildare (for 5 days)
• Crumlin GAA Club House, Lorcan O’ Toole Park, Crumlin, Dublin (for 7 days)
• Athlone Regional Sports Centre, Brawny Road, Athlone, Westmeath (for 5 days)
• Town Hall/Library Car Park, Ballinasloe, Galway (for 3 days)

The testing centres were set up in order to help understand why Covid-19 is spreading in certain areas and to help uncover cases where people don’t suffer any symptoms.

Each centre aims to carry out 300-500 Covid-19 tests per day.

The HSE said increasing the number of people that are tested helps deepen understanding of how and why the virus is spreading quicker in certain areas.

“Our pop up walk-in testing centres target areas where there is the greatest risk of disease at the moment,” HSE National Lead for Test and Trace, Niamh O’Beirne, said.

“There was a very significant uptake in all five temporary centres that were launched last week, and we hope to continue this at our new walk-in testing centres.”