Portsmouth coronavirus testing site is coming to Cosham from planned centre at Southampton, say councillors

It comes after the site at Tipner off the M275 was packed up overnight last week without Department of Health officials telling Portsmouth City Council. It was due to be moved to Southampton Airport.

Now council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson has said the drive-through site will move to Northarbour Road, Cosham, near the South Central Ambulance Service station.

The Tipner site could only be used temporarily as it is needed to triage lorries heading to the port in the event of a no-deal Brexit causing tailbacks that would otherwise congest the M275 and M27.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: ‘When the government was looking for a testing centre for Hampshire we offered Tipner on the understanding we needed it back for October so we could get ready for Brexit.

‘They took it on that basis and they were (due) to operate until October 5 then to reopen at Southampton Airport on October 6.

‘They closed Tipner early without giving anybody warning.

‘We've now offered them, and they’ve accepted, a site in Cosham, so that we will have a testing centre in Cosham in a couple of weeks’ time.’

Queen Alexandra Hospital tests its own staff, while the University of Portsmouth offers a walk-in centre for staff, students and the community with booking required at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

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Portsmouth Conservative group leader Donna Jones tweeted: ‘New #Covid testing site now confirmed in the north of the city in North Harbour Road Cosham – opening in 2-3 weeks.’

The News has contacted the Department for Health and Social Care asking when it is due to open.

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