Aberdeen International Airport is to become Scotland's latest drive-in coronavirus treatment centre, it has been confirmed.
Key workers will be invited to go for a swab test there, with results expected within days.
The initiative is targeted at medical staff who are self-isolating because they or members of their family have symptoms of Covid-19.
Such a facility is already operational at Glasgow Airport, where queues of vehicles have been pictured as frontline health workers head to their appointments at the Renfrewshire hub.
It opened on Sunday and it is understood that around 800 local health workers are off work because of a member of their household is showing signs of the virus.
A total of 15 testing centres have opened across the UK so far. Those whose results prove they are clear of coronavirus will return to work as soon as possible, while those with positive swabs will focus on their recovery.
Up to five drive-through lanes will be opened at Aberdeen Airport within days and Christopher Littlejohn, deputy director of public health at NHS Grampian, said: "This is an extremely welcome development as it effectively doubles our capacity for keyworker testing in Grampian. Essential services have all been affected by staff having to isolate due to the coronavirus, and testing allows staff to return to work earlier than would otherwise be the case.
"The speed with which the facility has been developed is to be commended."
Steve Szalay, managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, commented: “The national response to this global pandemic has been nothing short of remarkable. We have seen a wide and diverse range of businesses make their services and expertise available in the fight against this virus and we were keen to help in any way.
“We are in regular contact with both the UK and Scottish governments as Aberdeen Airport continues to both support lifeline passenger flights and essential oil and gas services, however, we’ve also stressed that we were ready to offer support and make our facilities available.
“The Park and Depart facility on Wellheads Road is an ideal space for a testing facility and we were more than happy to make it available given Covid-19 impacts us all.”
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