Drive-through coronavirus testing will begin at Luton Airport this week

Credit: Luton Airport

A new appointment only drive-through testing centre will open today at London Luton Airport.

The site will be used for NHS staff and other essential workers who have symptoms and suspect they may have Covid-19.

Testing will not be available for air passengers arriving or embarking from the airport.

People who share a household with keyworkers will also be able to get tested at the airport site.

It will be operated by the military and will be located in an airport carpark on from 10am to 4pm this week and the next.

Dr Nicola Smith is Chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Clinical Commissioning Groups, who are overseeing the testing programme across the region. She said:

Only a handful of passenger flights are operating out of Luton Airport at the moment.

Alberto Martin, CEO, said: