Worcester Warriors Sixways to be used as drive-through Coronavirus testing station for NHS staff

Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium is to be used as a drive-through Coronavirus testing facility as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS and other key workers.

The site sits alongside a rapidly expanding network of testing sites being set up around the UK, and is operating on an appointment-only basis for NHS staff and other key workers. The facility will be piloted for its first few days of operation.

This follows the launch of the Government’s partnership with universities, research institutes and companies to begin rollout of the network of new labs and field testing sites across the UK, with 27 testing sites opened to date.

This network will provide thousands more PCR swab tests – which are used to identify if you currently have the virus – for critical key workers, starting with NHS front line staff. This means those who test negative for coronavirus can return to work as soon as possible, and those who test positive are able to recover.

The Sixways testing centre is being operated in partnership with G4S, and is offering self-administered tests. Those tested will receive their results within a few days.

“Warriors are proud to play our part in helping to protect frontline NHS and to support the Government’s efforts to restrict the spread of COVID-19,” said co-owner Colin Goldring.

“We have a large car park at Sixways, situated close to a junction of the M5 motorway and other main roads which makes the site easily accessible to NHS staff in Worcester, Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands. We were only too happy to help when we were asked about using our facilities for this drive-through testing centre.

“A number of our players and staff have already been involved in a range of initiatives to support the NHS and also to help out in the local community during these challenging circumstances.”

The Government is also urgently working on setting up a home-testing service for critical key workers, supported by Amazon’s logistics network and other commercial partners.

“New testing sites such as this one are a key pillar of our 5-pillar plan to scale up testing, and are critical in supporting NHS staff who are isolating at home to return safely to work if the test is negative,” said Professor John Newton, National Co-ordinator for the UK Coronavirus Testing Strategy.

“This is a brilliant example of industries and businesses turning their resources to creating and rolling out mass testing at scale, which will help to deliver on our aim of carrying out 100,000 tests a day across the UK by the end of the month.”

The Exol brand is displayed on the team’s shirts and is a longstanding supporter of Worcester Warriors, having sponsored the team and full-back Chris Pennell in the previous Rugby Union Aviva Premiership seasons, reflecting the leading lubricants’ ongoing passion and commitment to the sport.