Mobile Covid-19 testing facilities returned to Moray this week following concerns about residents facing long journeys for vital assessments.
Temporary units have been established at times at Elgin’s Lossie Green car park during the pandemic, which have been operated by the military.
However calls have continued for a permanent Covid- 19 test centre to come to the region to solve the issue of residents making lengthy trips to Aberdeen or Inverness when the facility has not been operating.
The mobile unit run by the Scottish Ambulance Service as part of the UK Government response is alternating between Elgin and Peterhead.
Last night, the Scottish Government said work is still ongoing to get walk through testing centres up and running.
The region’s MSP Richard Lochhead, has said that a permanent test centre would be a “big help” to Moray.
Mr Lochhead said: “Having a walk-in test centre available in Moray would be a big help to folk in the region and reduce the need to travel significant distances to get tested.
“In addition, as universities return to operation in the coming weeks, it would help our local student and Moray College UHI staff population to get easier access to test facilities should that be needed.
“Significant preparation work is required to ensure any enhanced testing arrangements can operate effectively from the get go and that work is very much ongoing.”
Moray’s only permanent unit is dedicated to the region’s health and social care staff.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The first site has already been established in St Andrews.
“Work is ongoing between the NHS, local authorities, the Scottish Government and the UK Government to establish additional sites.
“The first will be primarily focused on providing access to testing for our returning student population and to local populations where car ownership may be low.”
Tim Eagle, leader of Moray Council’s Conservative group added that the mobile testing unit was a “positive change”.
