IKEA in Gateshead to be used as coronavirus testing facility for health care workers

IKEA in Gateshead will be used as a coronavirus testing centre forfrontline health care staff - initially primary care and social care workers.

The store's car park is to open as a drive-through Covid-19 testingfacility from Thursday 9, April, the company has confirmed.

Testing will work on an invitation-only basis. People who turn up without an invitation will not be tested.

An IKEA spokeswoman said:

The Gateshead store, on Pinetree Way, is the latest to host NHS testcentres in its car park after the Swedish furniture giant's flagshipstore in Wembley was first announced on March 31.

The retailer said it was working alongside the government toidentify any additional IKEA sites which could be use to help thefight against coronavirus.