One of the biggest Covid-19 test centres, at Croke Park in Dublin, closes on Monday in a further rationalisation of capacity.
More than 210,000 tests have been carried out at Croke Park and the adjoining National Handball and Croke Park Community Centre during the pandemic, according to the Health Service Executive.
Services are being transferred to a new premises on Aston Quay in Dublin’s city centre. This has a capacity of 672 tests a day, compared with 840 in Croke Park.
The HSE says demand for testing has fallen significantly in recent weeks, and now stands at fewer than 50 per cent of capacity at testing centres across Dublin North City and County.
It says the revised testing capacity at Aston Quay, which is appointment only, is sufficient to meet current service demands.
As well as Aston Quay, testing in Dublin will continue to be provided at locations in Blanchardstown, Finglas and Glasnevin.
The HSE said it is currently working to put the necessary arrangements in place for the testing and tracing service, following the most recent National Public Health Emergency Team advice which was approved by Government.
“PCR testing is still required for certain groups of people and in the short term there will be no changes to the location of Covid-19 test centres.”
“We are working on the next phase over the coming weeks to identify any future changes that may be required.”
From Monday, only those aged 55 and over and have not received a booster; have a high-risk medical condition; are immunocompromised; live with someone who is immunocompromised; or is pregnant will require testing if they have symptoms.
