Get tested on campus: ‘Our presence sends out a message’

This week, the GGD will be present on campus Woudestein. Not with a stand at the Eurekaweek information market, but with a COVID-19 walk-through test site near the main entrance. Testing is only available by appointment.

Both the university and the Kralingen-Crooswijk area committee had wanted a walk-through test site by the campus for some time. However, this was not easy to arrange, says Roel Ensing from GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond. In this region, there are already 150 to 200 ‘swab samplers’ working seven days a week. “Due to lack of capacity, we are here for three days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”

Students who think they may have symptoms during Eurekaweek may not spontaneously drop in. However, the presence of the test site is no coincidence. The university and the GGD want to emphasise the importance of testing, as part of the campaign ‘cut the bullshit, get tested’.

Near the main entrance to campus Woudestein, there are several signs saying ‘GGD test site’. New students will hardly be able to miss it. However, they don’t get many questions from students, says Ensing. But that’s fine. “Our presence sends out a message.”