A leading doctor has warned that a negative Covid-19 test result will be “essential” before travelling overseas this summer as he prepares to open 10 new private testing clinics in London.
Professor Frank Joseph will open DAM Health’s first clinic in The City on Wednesday (3 March) with a further 9 private testing centres to follow in the capital including sites in Mayfair, Harlow and Fulham which will open later this month.
DAM Health already operates private Covid-19 testing centres in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Wolverhampton. The company says by June it will have a total of 10 new clinics in London.
The expansion follows a huge demand for its testing service which is expected to grow even further this summer as people look to travel abroad after the easing of travel restrictions.
“Testing is now a way of life,” says Professor Joseph.
“Even with the vaccine, which only reduces the risk of people getting severe illness, we will need negative tests before travelling overseas for holidays, work and for gatherings long into the future. A negative test result will be essential before travelling overseas this summer.
“Covid-19 tests for travel purposes are not advised on the NHS and so there is a huge requirement for what we do. Thousands of holidaymakers paid for tests with us to secure ‘fit to fly’ certificates, a prerequisite for most airlines, ahead of the Christmas getaway rush. It is going to be even busier as international travel for holidays starts again in June.
The demand is there, especially in London, and so we’re getting ready for a surge in demand for tests with our new clinics.
“Testing helps to stop the spread of the disease. Until we know whether the vaccine stops us from transmitting the virus, we will still need to be tested on a regular basis. Previous vaccines for other diseases have led to a decrease in transmissibility, but we can’t take anything as a given with this virus, so we need to continue to work towards protecting people and this includes testing.
“We’re proud to play our part in this effort and open our new clinics in London, starting with The City this week. The fight against Covid is a team effort and the private sector has an important role to play.”
