Edinburgh football clubs bid to show Covid red card as Hearts and Hibs host community testing units

Hearts and Hibs are both hosting mobile Covid testing units in a bid to show the virus the red card as cases continue to rise in the Capital.

Hearts mascot Jock points the way to the testing centre at Tyencastle

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The community testing centres – for people without Covid symptoms – are open until Sunday in the Wheatfield stand at Tynecastle and as a drive-through centre at the rear of the East stand at Easter Road.

The free PCR tests are aimed at breaking the chain of transmission in areas where case numbers remain stubbornly high by tracing cases which have not produced any symptoms but could still be infectious.

Hibs mascot Sunshine shows where to go for testing at Easter Road

Council leaders today praised both football clubs for their role in helping stop the spread of the virus in their communities.

Council leader Adam McVey said July 19 had been set as the target date for moving all parts of Scotland into Level Zero. “We want to do everything we can to get case numbers down in Edinburgh as quickly as possible so that we can achieve that goal and enjoy fewer restrictions on our daily lives, so it’s crucial we find out where cases are and isolate them.

"I’m delighted that both Hibs and Hearts are working closely with us and the Scottish Ambulance Service on community testing and I’d like to thank both clubs for their support and dedication to their communities’ wellbeing.”

And depute council leader Cammy Day said: “As things continue to open up, it’s vital we all test ourselves regularly to check we’re not carrying the virus and unwittingly putting our loved ones and community at risk. It’s important to remember you can still get infected even if you’re double-vaccinated, and about one in three cases won’t show any symptoms. Well done and thank you to both our much-loved clubs for teaming up with us to show Covid the red card in Edinburgh.”

Ann Park, director for communities and partnershipes at Hearts, said: “Heart of Midlothian encourage everyone to take up the offer of regular community testing and are delighted to help the continued fight against Covid-19 by hosting the mobile testing centre at Tynecastle.

" If we all get tested regularly we are able to then take the necessary action to stop the spread of the virus. If you live in the local area please drop in and do your bit to help stop the spread.”

And Greg McEwan, Hibs’ head of marketing and brand partnerships, said: “Hibernian are pleased to be able to partner up with the city council in their efforts to curb the virus with a pop-up testing site at the Stadium. Easter Road Stadium is a prominent venue within the community and indeed Edinburgh so it’s a pleasure to offer our facilities.”

The walk-up mobile testing unit a Tynecastle is open 10am to 6pm.

And the drive-though mobile testing unit at Easter Road is operating 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Free PCR tests are also available at a walk-up mobile testing unit at the North West locality office, 8 West Pilton Gardens, 10am to 6pm, until Sunday.

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