Drive-through testing centre opens in Hillcrest
The Covid-19 testing site based at the CityHill Church opened on Monday, 29 March.
DESPITE concerns raised by a handful of Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy parents regarding the drive-through Covid-19 testing facility hosted by CityHill Church, the school and the church have allayed fears with their stringent safety measures.
Sarah Kieck, one of the concerned parents, said she didn’t believe the testing facility would foster a healthy environment for learners at the school.
“It’s always going to be on their minds and I don’t understand how it’s not going to cause chaos. How can we still convince our children they are safe? There are so many other places this could have been held in the area, why does it have to be where everyone is all the time?”
Jarius Lodewyckx of CityHill Church said they were contacted by a medical practice in Hillcrest in the hopes of utilising the church’s parking space as a Covid-19 testing centre.
“With a heart for our community, we started investigating the request. We consulted with the relevant role players and our consultations revealed that such a testing centre would significantly benefit the residents of the Upper Highway area in the fight against Covid-19,” said Lodewyckx.
“We made the decision to provide the use of a portion of our parking area at no cost to Ampath laboratories. We have worked closely with Ampath to ensure the safety of all who come onto CityHill property and we are confident that there is no risk to any individual.”
A few of the protocols implemented include a permanent fenced barrier, clear signage, positioning of the collection point at the furthest part of the parking area as well as operational times that co-ordinate with Curro staff, parents, scholars and the general public
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The executive head of the school, Paul Guthrie noted the testing station would be set up in the car park, on the church’s grounds, furthest from their buildings and was a distance from the school.
“As per other testing stations, and within the context of a drive-through site, individuals being tested will remain in their cars. Testing will happen through the window of the vehicle. The station will not operate during pick-up and drop-off times at Curro Hillcrest, so there is no impact on traffic flow at the City Hill Church entrance (an entrance separate to that of the school). Our Covid-19 protocols and standard operating procedures at Curro Hillcrest remain in place and have been highly effective thus far; the safety of our community (learners, staff and parents) remain our primary priority and will not be compromised,” said Guthrie.
Ryan Roberts, who has been a member of the community for the past 17 years, said he was proud of the church’s commitment to provide for the community.
“That this facility came as a request from the local medical fraternity, it can only prove as to how desperate our frontline workers are to ensure their community can be accurately tested. We, as a community, are lucky enough to have the support and commitment of CityHill and their leadership to assist our doctors.”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
