Warwickshire county club has decided to do its bit as UK fights the difficult battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The club will be offering local community support by allowing the Edgbaston Stadium to work as a drive-through COVID-19 testing centre dedicated to NHS workers, says a report in ESPNcricinfo. 

The club will be opening its main car park and allow frontline healthcare staff from across the Birmingham and West Midlands regions to have easy access to diagnostic facilities.

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Those requiring COVID-19 tests will drive in through the Edgbaston Road entrance and undergo the procedure while remaining in their vehicle, leaving later through the Pershore Road exit.

The WCCC plans to offer NHS staff free entry to a Vitality Blast fixture whenever the on-field play resumes as a reward for their efforts. 

“With our county cricket programme and conference and events business closed until 29 May, our staff have been exploring various options which enable the club to keep supporting our local community during these difficult times, whether that be through making calls to our elderly members and ex-players, volunteering and by offering Edgbaston Stadium for use in the wider civil contingency effort," board CEO Neil Snowball was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

“Whilst it is a small part to play in grand scheme of things, we are pleased that our stadium can be utilised to support the fantastic efforts being made by all of our NHS staff in response to the coronavirus crisis."

“We are also very grateful for the support that we have received in delivering this project from Patrizia and Homes England, our development partners."

The testing station to be used by NHS staff will be operational in the coming days and remain at Edgbaston until further notice. 

(Inputs from IANS)