Senior Conservatives in Moray have today begun a campaign to have Coronavirus testing facilities for everyone in Moray following several concerned residents getting in touch after facing long journeys to get tests.
Commenting leader of the Conservative Councillor group on Moray Council and Conservative candidate for Moray at the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election, Cllr Tim Eagle said; “In the past two days I have been contacted by several families who have faced long commutes to Inverness or Aberdeen in order to be tested for COVID-19. These commutes have involved having to take sick children on 5-hour round trips."
“With schools now back we face the increasing likelihood that more tests will need to be done amongst staff – particularly teachers – and our young people. Yet with no testing available in Moray each of those will face a significant journey to get the test done.”
“Test and trace is supposed to be the bedrock of protection moving forward to ensure we can quickly isolate and contain any outbreak. If we have local people in Moray waiting days for the results of home test kits or facing long commutes we risk increased spread of any outbreak.”
“Douglas Ross MP and I have today written to NHS Scotland requesting that testing facilities are provided here in Moray for the safety of all our communities.”
Commenting, Douglas Ross MP said, "The safety of everyone in the local area is our top priority but it’s crucial the Scottish Government’s test and trace capabilities are sufficient at this point in the pandemic to ensure we keep on top of this virus. It’s clear we need a testing centre In Moray that everyone can access."
“Many people have raised genuine concerns with me about the long journey they face to Inverness or Aberdeen and sometimes even further afield to get a test. A local testing centre here in Moray is clearly required and I hope NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government treat this request as a priority and we can get a testing site available for everyone in Moray up and running very soon.”
