Mobile Covid-19 testing facilities will return to Moray next week following concerns about residents facing long journeys for vital assessments.
Temporary units have been established at times at Elgin’s Lossie Green car park during the pandemic, which have been staffed by military personnel.
However, residents have faced lengthy trips to either Aberdeen or Inverness when the facility has not been in operation.
Last night, the Scottish Government confirmed that a unit will alternate between Elgin and Peterhead as of next week.
It came after Tim Eagle, leader of Moray Council’s Conservative group, warned the need for assessments could rise in the coming weeks.
He said: “With schools now being back we face the increasing likelihood that more tests will need to be done amongst staff and our young people.”
Statistics show that Moray has had the least amount of confirmed Covid-19 cases on the Scottish mainland with 103.
However, five of the positive test results have been recorded since August 16 amid advice to residents to continue to follow safety advice.
The only permanent unit in the area is dedicated to health and social care staff working in the region.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We work with local partners to identify testing sites and proposed schedules are developed by local and regional resilience partnerships to support access to testing for remote and rural locations.
“Following a recent request to have a mobile testing unit (MTU) return to Elgin, from early next week an MTU will alternate daily between Elgin and Peterhead.
“The Scottish Ambulance Service will take over the running of mobile testing units from August 31 and will continue running the service, which is regularly reviewed to ensure it can help address demand in all parts of the country.”