New walk-in coronavirus testing centre opens in St Andrews

A new walk-in coronavirus testing centre is opening in St Andrews today.

The move is part of efforts to ramp up testing capacity - before hundreds of students descend on the town, and as we approach the winter months.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said at her daily briefing: "I confirmed earlier in the week that we would also be establishing walk-through testing centres in different parts of the country.

"I can confirm that the first of those centres will open later today in the Victory Memorial Hall in St Andrews. The site there is close to the centre of the town, and it is easy to reach without a car. In addition, additional support is available for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

"However, you are still advised to book in advance if you are using the walk in centre and of course tests can be booked online through the nhsinform website for that centre from today.

"We plan to establish six walk-through centres in total by the end of September – these will mainly be in areas with large student populations, which was of course a consideration for St Andrews.

"There will be a further five opened over October, but in total we are planning to have 22 of these walk-through centres in place during the winter so today’s opening is a first stage – but an important first stage – in developing walk-through centres and making testing more accessible for people in different parts of the country.

"Of course it is already possible, wherever you live, to get tested in other ways if you do not have a car for example you can request delivery of a home testing kit and you can do that in the same way that you book other tests, by going to nhsinform.scot or phoning 0800 028 2816.

"And let me just take the opportunity to stress again that if you have any of the Covid symptoms, but only if you have any of the Covid symptoms, you should book a test immediately. Don’t wait to see if you start to feel better."

Meanwhile a new £59 million support package has been announced for the culture and heritage sectors.

It includes £15m to provide support to businesses like art galleries, studio facilities, comedy venues, large music venues, commercial theatres, orchestras, dance companies and nightclubs.

It is designed to help reduce the threat of insolvency, protect jobs and create conditions for a sustainable future.

The funding also includes £21.3m for Historic Environment Scotland to protect jobs and support the reopening of properties in its care.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "It’s been an extremely trying time for everyone in the culture and heritage sectors over the last few months. The major issues presented by the pandemic are not going away but as we slowly start to reopen, this funding will provide much needed emergency support and aid the recovery.

"We have taken time to work closely with and listen carefully to the sectors, to understand exactly what they need. We want to reach as many people as possible and I do believe these funds will make a marked difference in ensuring our culture and heritage sectors not only survive the pandemic but thrive in future.

"As extensive as this package of support is, we know there will still be more needed. Culture and heritage are vitally important to all of our lives in Scotland, at this time more than ever. Without significant borrowing powers, there is only so much the Scottish Government can do.  I urge the UK Government to consider extending the furlough scheme, to ensure longer term support as we continue to navigate this crisis.”

Iain Munro, Creative Scotland chief executive, said: "We very much welcome this significant announcement of much needed emergency support.

"This follows a great deal of work involving Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government, but also many people and organisations from across Scotland’s cultural community. We appreciate the challenges that everyone working in culture is facing and are pleased to now be able to offer some clarity. Creative Scotland will continue to work at pace to deliver this emergency funding to where it’s needed as quickly as possible."