Two-day walk-in Covid test centre opening in Ballina
A SYMPTOM-FREE walk-in, no appointment Covid test centre will open in Ballina later this week for two days.
The HSE is continuing its programme of walk-in test centres which enable people in those communities local to the centre get a free Covid-19 test without having to make an appointment in advance.
The centres means those without Covid symptoms have convenient access to testing, allowing further identification and understanding of any variants of concern within communities. The HSE continues to monitor the need for asymptomatic walk-in testing centres and HSE public health teams across the country continue to advise on the most appropriate locations at any given time.
A symptom-free walk-in, no appointment necessary Covid-19 testing facility will open in the Stephenites Ground, Lord Edward Street, Carrowcushlaun West, Ballina (F26 E622) on Thursday, June 10, and Friday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Full details of the walk-in test locations are outlined in detail below.
According to Niamh O’Beirne, HSE National Lead for Test and Trace: “Asymptomatic testing is another tool in our tool box to stop the spread of this virus, as one in five people who have Covid-19 do not display symptoms. These walk-in testing centres make it easier and quicker for people living in the areas, who don’t have symptoms of Covid-19, to get tested and ensure they are not able to spread the virus without realising it.”
Dr. Breda Smyth, Director of Public Health West, said: “Getting tested is another action people can take to reduce the spread of this disease in our communities. We would urge people living near a walk-in test centre and who are concerned about Covid-19 to come forward for a free test.”
You should use this free, walk-in Covid-19 testing service if you:
• are aged 16 years and over
• do not have symptoms of Covid-19 but would like to be tested
• have not tested positive for Covid-19 in the last six months
• Remember, it’s 1 test per person
You must bring a photo ID with you and provide us with a mobile phone number so we can contact you with your test results.
Social distancing measures will apply as people arrive for testing. If the waiting times are too long for you, you are welcome to come back on another day or time.
Up to date information on the location and opening days and times of COVID-19 walk-in test centres is available at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/testing/covid-19-walk-in-test-centres.html