The HSE is continuing with its programme of COVID-19 walk-in test centres which enable people in those communities local to the centre get a free-COVID-19 test without having to make an appointment in advance.

These test centres are an important part of the HSE’s efforts to facilitate enhanced COVID-19 testing for local communities and means that those without symptoms of COVID-19 have convenient access to COVID-19 testing. They also allow further identification and understanding of any variants of concern within communities. The HSE continues to monitor the need for asymptomatic walk-in testing centres and HSE Public Health teams across the country continue to advise on the most appropriate locations at any given time.

Over the coming days a number of new centres will open and some of the existing walk-in centres will extend the timeframe that they are open. The HSE has also added walk-in, no appointment necessary COVID-19 testing in a number of its static testing centres. This service will operate alongside the testing service for those who are symptomatic or close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 and who are referred for a COVID-19 test by their GP.

Walk-in COVID-19 testing in existing sites in Coolock, Mulhuddart and the Liberties in Dublin will continue over the coming days.

New walk–in centres will open in in Drumshambo Co Leitrim today,  Friday April 23^rd and in Tuam Co Galway on Monday April 26^th.

Walk-in testing will also be available over the coming days at the static testing sites in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, Nenagh, Co Tipperary and Kilcohan, Co Waterford. Walk-in testing has been available in the testing centres in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Tralee, Co Kerry and Dunmanway, Co Cork  since earlier this week, and this will continue into next week.

Commenting Niamh O Beirne, HSE National Lead Test and Trace said, “Since late March, with the support of the National Ambulance Service and HSE Community Health Teams on the ground, we have set up walk-in testing clinics in locations across the country. Increasing the number of people we test  helps us better understand the nature of the transmission of the COVID-19 virus and helps support the strategic approach to identify any variants of concern within our communities.

“As of Thursday evening, April 22^nd over 40,000 people have had a COVID-19 test in one of our walk-in centres. The overall positivity rate to date is 3.3% which equates to 1,261 people testing positive for COVID 19 as a result of getting a test in one of the HSE’s walk-in test centres.  This programme of targeted testing of asymptomatic people across many communities has meant that those who have tested positive for COVID-19 can take the necessary actions to protect those around them”.

*Details of individual Walk-in COVID 19 testing sites:

       Extension of opening in existing Walk-in Testing Centres

•  Coolock Walk-in Test Centre located in Parnells GAA Club, Main Street, Coolock (Eircode D05 H2W0)   will have its opening period extended and will now remain  open until Sunday, April 25^th from 11am to 7pm
• Mulhuddart  Walk-in Test Centre located in Cumann Naomh Peregrine, Blakestown Road, Mulhuddart (Eircode D15 PW80) will have it’s opening period extended and now  remain open until Sunday April 25^th  from 11am to 7pm.
• The Liberties test centre located in St Catherine’s Community Sports Centre Marrowbone Lane, The Liberties ( Eircode D08 W5WC) will have it’s opening period extended and remain open until Thursday April 29^th  from 11am to 7pm.

Details of new Walk-in Testing Centres

• Leitrim -Mayflower Community Centre, Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim (Eircode: N41 Y8P6) – open on Friday April 23 1.30pm to 7pm, Saturday April 24^thand Sunday April 25^th 10am-6pm
• Galway – Irish Wheelchair Association, The Glebe, Dublin Road Tuam, Co Galway (Eircode: H54 TR77) – open from Monday April 26^th – Wednesday April 28^th from 11am to 7pm

Walk in testing service at existing static COVID-19 Test Centres

• Wicklow – Killadreenan Community Testing Centre (Eircode:A63 CD30) open for walk-in appointments from Friday April 23^rd for 7 days from 10am to 5pm
• Waterford – Kilcohan Test Centre,  Kilcohan (Eircode: X91 EY73) open for walk in appointments from Saturday April 24^th for 7 days from 10am to 6pm
• Donegal -St Conal’s, Lettekenny, Co Donegal (Eircode: F92 TD92) open for walk-in appointments from Saturday April 24^th for 7 days from 9.30am to 6pm daily
• Roscommon – Castlerea Fire Station, Castlerea, Co Roscommon (Eircode F45 PX 84) open for walk-in appointments from Tuesday April 27^th for 7 days from 10am to 5.30pm daily
• Tipperary – Former Castlebrand Factory, Tyone, Nenagh (Eircode: E45 TY04) opens for walk-in appointments from Tuesday April 27^th for 7 days from 8.30am to 6.30pm daily

Walk-in testing is already currently taking place at the following static COVID-19 test centres and this will continue as outlined below:

• Cork – Randal Óg GAA Club, Dunmanway (Eircode- P47 YC58)– to remain open until Tuesday April 27^th from 9am to  5pm
• Westmeath – St Lomans Campus, Delvin Road, Mullingar (Eircode: N91 X363) to remain  open until Tuesday April 27^th from 9am to 5pm
• Kerry – Ballymullen Barracks, Ballymullen, Tralee (Eircode: V92 C996) to remain open until Tuesday April 27^th from 9am to 5pm

You should use this free, walk-in COVID-19 testing service if you:

• are aged 16 years and over
• do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but would like to be tested
• have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last six months
• Remember, it’s 1 test per person

You must bring a photo ID with you and provide us with a mobile phone number so we can contact you with your test results.

Social distancing measures will apply as people arrive for testing. If the waiting times are too long for you, you are welcome to come back on another day or time.

Up to date information on the location and opening days and times of COVID -19 walk-in test centres is available at COVID-19 walk-in test centres – HSE.ie

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