A free walk-in COVID-19 testing site will open in Navan on Thursday 8th July.

The facility at County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co Meath, C15 AW81 will operate for 3 days. No appointment is necessary to avail of this free service.

Opening hours are:

Thursday, July 8th               1pm- 7pm

Friday, July 9th                    9:30am- 7pm

Saturday, July 10th            9:30am – 6pm

The free ‘walk-in no appointment necessary’ COVID-19 test centre in Navan is open to members of the public of any age. The centre is being set up due to a number of outbreaks in recent weeks including households, families and extended families, social gatherings, workplaces and a number of unrelated cases indicating a degree of community transmission. Members of the public will need to bring a photo ID and provide a mobile phone number in order to provide test results.

The temporary walk-in COVID-19 test centre is an operation led by HSE Public Health Department North East, Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation and the National Ambulance Service to identify cases of COVID-19 and reduce further transmission in the community.

Dr Augustine Pereira, Director of Public Health North East, said: “The Department of Public Health North East have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Navan area in recent weeks. 75% of cases in Meath are in the under 40 age group, mostly unvaccinated and a small number of these people are seriously ill. I am encouraging people in the Navan area, and especially anyone who is below the age of 40 who wouldn’t have had a vaccination yet to avail of this walk-in COVID-19 test centre.”

“The department is investigating probable VOCs of the delta clade in the county. Once the Delta variant gets into a community, it spreads much easier than we have seen previously. A more transmissible variant means there is a greater chance of outbreaks in communities among unvaccinated people, therefore a greater chance of people becoming seriously ill with this virus.”

Dr Pereira added: “We cannot let our guard down now. All of our collective hard work has contributed to the success of our vaccination programme and the progress we have made so far with reopening our economy and society. It is really important that we continue to follow all public health advice in particular to avoid crowds, limit contacts, avoid meeting up indoors, wear a mask, wash hands frequently and work from home where possible. This includes people who are fully vaccinated and those waiting for their second dose of the vaccine.”

Des O’Flynn, Chief Officer with Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation said: “The rise of the Delta variant is a worrying trend as it is much more transmissible than the original virus. While the rollout of vaccines is key in protecting people against the COVID-19, testing and, in particular, walk-in test centres remain an important part of the HSE’s response to COVID-19. I would urge people in the Navan area to attend for a test which is quick and convenient. Availing of COVID-19 testing, even when you don’t have symptoms, helps us to stop the further spread of COVID-19 and protects our communities. Testing at the pop-up centre at County Hall, Railway Street in Navan is safe, fast and accessible – you do not need to book in advance and, more importantly, you can protect those around you by taking the necessary public health measures if you receive a positive COVID-19 test result.”

Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Jackie Maguire added: “We would encourage anyone in the Navan and surrounding areas to take up this opportunity for free testing as it will help contain the spread of COVID-19. I want to thank everyone in Meath for playing their part and would urge you to continue to follow public health advice and adhere to the government guidelines.”

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: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/testing/covid-19-walk-in-test-centres.html