That was my first thought when I was escorted into the Covid-19 testing centre in Caversham yesterday.
Having returned from Bali last Saturday, I was not officially required to be in self-isolation. But after advice from the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, it seemed like a good idea, at least until I was tested and received a negative result.
My flatmate and I received a referral from Healthline to the testing centre yesterday afternoon.
We were the only people there at that stage. Upon your arrival, a sign on the door asks you to please wait outside.
We were then escorted in one at a time. The floor is covered in plastic and those inside donned a huge amount of protective gear.
‘‘Sorry it looks a bit scary,’’ a staff member said.
I sanitised my hands, popped on a mask, and then answered some health questions while having my blood pressure and temperature taken.
From there, it was into another room for the dreaded swabs. One down the throat, and one up each nostril. Not the most pleasant experience I have ever had, but luckily it only lasted a few seconds.
With one more dollop of hand sanitiser, I was done and dusted. Given what they were dealing with, the staff were fantastic — kind and good humoured.
Getting the referral itself was a rigmarole, though. An initial call to Healthline yesterday morning led to me being told I should not even be in self-isolation, let alone getting tested.
A further call a few hours later saw a reversal, and a referral. Then I had to call a GP, who then called the testing centre, who then called me back.
A good few hours was spent trying to organise a test - probably less time than it will take to actually process the results.
Those will likely arrive some time today - fingers crossed for the all-clear.
