Since this Monday, 31st of May, the Algarve has had a Molecular Biology Laboratory, operating 24 hours a day, in Faro, where, in addition to testing Covid-19, the harvests will be analyzed. The space integrates the operation "Summer Safe Algarve", which also provides for the creation of a network of drive thrus e walk thrus, for the collection of samples, throughout the region, to ensure safety in tourism and hotels.
The laboratory, located at Rua Engenharia Nuno Abecassis, next to the Decathlon store, and which will be operated by Unilabs, will have the capacity to carry out more than 15 tests per day, representing an investment of 1,5 million euros.
«The expected increase in the number of foreign tourists requires an effective and timely laboratory response», highlighted Luís Menezes, CEO of Unilabs Portugal, at the inauguration of this laboratory, which has the Hospital Particular do Algarve (HPA) Group as a partner.
It will be in this new space that the harvests of the new drive thrus (testing is carried out without having to get out of the car) and walk thrus (on foot), as well as the hotel units where Unilabs will carry out tests.
In total, according to César Santos, administrator of the HPA Group, «10 to 12 drive thrus, in places such as Lagos, Portimão, Alvor, Carvoeiro, Armação de Pera, Praia da Falésia, Albufeira (Imortal Stadium), Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago or Tavira».
In addition to these sites, Covid-19's testing services will also be extended to all HPA units in Lagos, Alvor, Monchique, Guia, Vilamoura, São Brás de Alportel, Loulé or Vila Real de Santo António. Added to this is the creation of six to seven walk thrus in the region.
Luís Menezes, from Unilabs, explained that «the samples will be collected during the day, and then analyzed here in the laboratory at night, without having to go to Lisbon or Porto».
"So we decided to build a large laboratory in the region to see if we can support the Algarve in the tourism recovery it needs and wants to have this summer," he added.
According to this responsible, the space in Faro it will be “up and running at 100% within two or three days” and will also be open on weekends.
Rogério Bacalhau, president of the Chamber of Faro, welcomed the fact that this laboratory was located in the capital of the Algarve and also stressed that the municipality provided «all possible support for its installation». This new Unilabs infrastructure is located on land that the Municipality has leased to the company.
«Besides the installation of this equipment, the most important thing is the network that is being set up in the Algarve to respond to tourists and people who come here and who, in order to return to their homes, need to do this Covid-19 test. », said the Farense mayor.
In total, in these new Unilabs and HPA Group facilities, 100 people will be working, distributed between the laboratory and the testing network, throughout the Algarve region.
"We will have 25 to 30 people assigned to laboratory activities, in Faro, and 70 people spread across the network throughout the region, both in the drive thrus like us walk thrus' concluded the CEO of Unilabs Portugal.
Photos: Rúben Bento | Sul Informação
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