Testing had previously been held at the A.Le Coq sports hall car park, but this experienced too-high levels of traffic and people. The song festival grounds should provide a quieter location, according to deputy mayor Mihkel Lees (Reform).

"The song festival grounds car park allows for a better separation of those who come to the test and the city residents who are going about their daily activities. The tent will be located in the part of the car park that lies alongside the song festival grounds, and trainers coming to Tähtvere sports park can leave their cars on that side of the car park," said Lees.

Tartu has seen a coronavirus outbreak in recent weeks, initially traced to a nightclub in the city but with more cases hitting other nightspots. Eight bars including some of those connected with cases have closed for the rest of this week, and the police instigated a ban on alcohol sales from 11 p.m. in bars, restaurants and clubs for the time being (alcohol sales in stores end at 10 p.m.).

The Health Board best practice says individuals going for COVID-19 testing should arrive on the dot of their agreed appointment time, generally given by a family doctor, and not significantly earlier or later. They should also not use public transport to go to a test, but travel by car or on foot.

Those who are unable to reach a testing center for whatever reason should declare this when an appointment is being set up. Home testing can be arranged in these cases.

Wearing a face mask, disinfecting the hands before and after testing and maintaining the 2+2 rule are also recommended when going for testing.

The new testing center at the Tartu Song Festival Grounds car park starts work on Wednesday, August 12, at 12.00 p.m.

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