A NEW state-of-the-art Covid-19 testing facility has opened its doors to students at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU).
Students who are not showing symptoms of Covid -19 but wish to return home for Christmas are invited to book a test at the site. The test area opens between 10am - 6pm every day until Thursday, December 12.
The site took twelve days to set up and employs around 70 people - some of whom are students at GCU. Members of staff talk students through the process of the test before they take the swabs themselves. Results can be received within 20 minutes.
The Glasgow Times spoke on Monday to some of the first students who received tests to find out what they think.
Moses Apiliga a MSc International Operations and Supply Chain student at the university is hoping to travel to Zambia to visit his family over the festive period. He believes that the testing should have been done earlier.
He said: “I think this should have happened a long time ago in the first wave. The tests we need in order to travel should have happened earlier too. This is really convenient as it’s right on campus.”
Journalism student Kathinka Mumme, 22 who is from Hanau, Germany believes the university has taken a step in the right direction.
She said: “The uni should have tested us before we arrived on campus because we had to come to campus and live in halls. It could have prevented a situation like Glasgow Uni.I think it’s good we are getting tested when we leave."
Testing is not just for those students planning to travel abroad for Christmas.
Sarah Connaughty, 17 who is from Ireland and Anna Robertson, 18 from the Isle of Skye are both students at the Royal Conservatoire. They both underwent tests when the centre opened today. Sarah said: “I think the university has been quite good at managing it but I think it should have been done earlier.”
Students are hoping that the mass testing and possible vaccination will allow them to return to normal life after Covid-19 has placed restrictions on typical activities. Meeting new people and trying new things such as joining societies and experiencing Glasgow’s unrivalled nightlife are a right of passage for many GCU students.
Sarah added: “Any small interaction is better than nothing at all. I’m more just concerned with getting the building open and having lessons in person.”
The university’s chief operating officer, Susan Mitchell was responsible for overseeing the set up of the site.
She said: “We have capability here to test many thousands of students. The site was built within a week, we’ve recruited and trained over 70 members of staff. The timing of our test centre has been specially designed to make sure that students have time to self-isolate and still get home for Christmas. We’ve got really good provision in place for those who want to stay or if they have to self isolate. We phone students on the first day of self isolation and ask them what they want and what they need. We’re getting really good feedback from students and parents. We’re the university of the common good, that’s what we’re all about, we’re really showing our values here.”
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