A Liverpool-based medical company has launched a 24-hour Covid-19 testing clinic in a bid to deal with a surge in demand for 'fit to fly' certificates ahead of a Christmas getaway rush.
DAM Health UK, which specialises in medical equipment and Covid-19 testing, said demand for coronavirus tests from people travelling abroad, and from others travelling around the UK to join extended family bubbles during the temporary easing of restrictions, is so great that they will operate a 24-hour service from its Rodney Street clinic in Liverpool.
It comes after Knowsley-based TAG partnered with Liverpool John Lennon Airport to also launch the 'fit to fly' certificates, which many countries require inbound visitors to have.
DAM said 24-hour Covid-19 PCR tests will be available between now and Christmas Day, and that an increase in domestic and international travel is expected between 23 and 27 December.
Professor Frank Joseph, director at DAM Health UK, said: “We’re experiencing huge demand for testing at our Rodney Street clinic and for our home testing kits. There has been a significant increase in demand since the beginning of December.
"The demand is so great that we have taken the decision to offer 24 hour testing. People are incredibly anxious to be tested and get the required documentation for travel.
"We are also getting more and more families coming to us who want the reassurance of a negative test result before extending their bubbles during the temporary easing of restrictions.
"The government advises against using NHS testing for travel purposes so we’re expanding our capacity to help people get tests with same day results. We are offering 24 hour testing between now and Christmas and extended testing hours between Christmas and New Year's Eve."
Most international destinations may require a negative Covid-19 PCR before entry and airlines are requiring proof of a negative test before allowing passengers to board flights.
The UK Government advises against using the NHS test and trace service to get a test for international travel purposes. A number of private companies, including Liverpool’s DAM Health, are now helping to meet the demand for ‘fit to fly’ certificates.
