With immediate effect, freight drivers are able to book online to access the established asymptomatic test sites at Queen’s University (Whitla Hall) and Ulster University (Belfast, Jordanstown, Coleraine and Magee campuses).
The testing will be undertaken using Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs), drivers are expected to receive their results within an hour of the test being taken.
This follows constructive engagement involving the Department of Health and the Department for Infrastructure, which regulates the haulage industry, local Universities and representatives of the freight haulage sector in a collaborative effort to support drivers and reduce potential disruption and delays as they carry goods across to Europe.
New office builds buoyed construction activity in Belfast last year though two-thirds of space is still available to let, according to a report today.
The annual Belfast crane survey by business advisory firm Deloitte said construction in the city had been resilient during 2020. There were five new office projects started in Belfast last year totalling 1.3 million sq ft.
They were among 23 schemes which were under construction or finished in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic - a slight fall on 2019 s tally of 26.
However, there had been 35 active projects in 2018 - translating as a fall of 34% in the intervening two years.
There were seven all-new projects, down from 11 in 2019.