Brighton convert stadium into drive-in coronavirus testing centre

Amex Stadium will be the biggest testing site on the south coast

Brighton and Hove Albion‘s stadium has been converted into the south coast’s biggest drive-in coronavirus testing centre.

The appointment-only centre has been put in place at the American Express Community Stadium as part of the drive to increase testing for NHS staff and other key workers.

The Amex launch is part of the Government’s partnership with universities, research institutes and companies to begin rollout of new labs and field testing sites across the UK, with 32 testing sites opened to date.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said: “It is hugely impressive, and a great triumph of both teamwork and hard work.

“The Amex will be the biggest testing site anywhere on the south coast, and will be used for self-testing and assisted testing.

“The centre was scheduled to see more than 50 NHS frontline workers on Saturday afternoon, and they will have the results of their tests within 48 hours. Within a few days, the site should reach its capacity of up to 1,000 tests a day.”

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom earlier dismissed the possibility of relegation if the season is scrapped as “unfathomable”.

Brighton were two points clear of the relegation zone with nine matches remaining when the league was brought to a halt on 13 March.

“It would be very difficult to relegate somebody, particularly from the Premier League, if the season hasn’t played out,” Bloom said. “You may get a title winner, obviously Liverpool deserve it, you may use that criteria for European qualification, but I do not see how anyone can vote for that, certainly the percent needed for teams to get relegated.”

“I don’t foresee a situation, if the season’s not played out, that teams will get relegated on a points-per-game basis.

“I just don’t think it’s fathomable that a team which is not allowed to play out the season may lose out on 0.2 points based on this system, and also it does not take into account the strength of the team you have not played.”

PA