Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter demands answers on Abercynon testing sites

Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter has written to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock demanding answers following reports of people travelling from across the UK to a second testing centre in Abercynon.

The second testing facility, based at Abercynon leisure centre was described as being exclusively for residents of RCT. However, news reports from Channel 4 indicate significant numbers of people from across the UK are being directed to travel to Abercynon leisure centre, even as restrictions come into force in RCT.

Beth Winter MP wrote today to Mr Hancock to ask why people were being directed to enter the county borough at the same time as restrictions had been put into place in the area.

Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter said: “There have been persistent and serious operational failures in Serco ‘lighthouse labs’ across the country, and now we have two testing centres in Abercynon, one of which was intended to be for residents of RCT only.”

“Rhondda Cynon Taf residents are being asked to make sacrifices and comply with new local restrictions to combat the transmission of the virus. These restrictions are being actively undermined by a poorly designed system which is creating unnecessary travel in and out of the local authority.”

“I have written to Matt Hancock and asked him what steps he is taking to make sure that we have enough tests for residents here in RCT and to stop people entering the area from elsewhere.”

“In my view, testing centres in areas subject to local restrictions should be reserved exclusively to local residents in those areas.”