The contractor is installing access routes at the laboratory being set up in partnership with AstraZeneca, and GSK.

The laboratory will be set up at the University’s Anne McLaren Building which will be used for high throughput screening for Covid-19 testing and to explore the use of alternative chemical reagents for test kits in order to help overcome current supply shortages.

Mick George Group have offered to install critical access routes to the facility free-of-charge, in the form of a 110m length temporary pavement that will run from the site entrance of the Anne McLaren main drive, to Francis Crick Avenue.

Initially estimated to fulfil 1,000 to 2,000 test per day, it is anticipated that the new coronavirus testing laboratory will process up to 30,000 per day at the peak of operations, contributing to the national target of 100,000 tests per day, as pledged by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Michael George, Managing Director at the Mick George Group said: ‘’We continue to pay tribute to those working on the frontlines of this pandemic, in the UK and globally.

“Defeating Covid-19 requires a collective effort from everyone, across multiple sectors and we are committed to playing our part.’’