Dickson and Donnelly Call for Covid Testing Centre in Larne

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, and Larne Lough Alliance Councillor, Danny Donnelly, have called on the Health Minister, Robin Swann, to open a Covid-19 test facility in Larne.

Mr Donnelly said: “I have been contacted by a large number of constituents from Larne who have expressed their concern that the town is without a Covid-19 testing facility.

“As it is vitally important that anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms is tested, both for their own protection, and for those around them, we have raised the issue with the Department for Health.”

Mr Dickson commented: “At present, those residing in Larne have to travel to either Ballymena or Carrickfergus to obtain a test. This is far from ideal as many individuals do not own private cars, and cannot take public transport for fear of spreading the virus.

“My concern is that many people suffering from Covid-like symptoms are therefore not being tested – especially children and young people – and subsequently, the residents of the town are at a higher risk of a local outbreak.”

Mr Donnelly concluded by saying: “Whilst we appreciate that people can order lateral flow kits, and some testing facilities are not too far away, Larne is a large enough town to merit a facility of its own, and making testing as easy as possible for local residents must be recognised as hugely desirable and worthy of prioritisation.”