COVID-19 test centres

HEALTH

COVID-19 test sites established at the speed of light

Everybody from site managers to traffic planners put in an incredible effort when MOE was assigned the task of helping the Capital Region of Denmark construct new test facilities, capable of withstanding the cold and ensuring a larger test capacity as well as appropriate working conditions for staff members.

When you see the test site staff work so hard, it motivates you to keep working yourself. Especially, because you want to provide them with as good working conditions as possible. It gave our work an extra dimension of meaning.

Peter Bergstrøm Senior Consultant Construction Management Copenhagen

2020 was an unusual year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and MOE received an equally unusual assignment. While it was possible to conduct COVID-19 tests in large tents during the summertime, winter called for different, warmer, measures. The Capital Region of Denmark was forced to quickly come up with another solution, which would allow for tests to take place inside with increased capacity and consideration for the hard-working staff.

The task was not made easier by the fact that it was not possible to copy a concept from one site to another due to the very different locations available. Two test sites had to be erected from a bare field while two others required reconstructions of a municipal building and an old car dealership.

Night shifts MOE became part of the project when the test site close to Copenhagen Airport was already undergoing change. From here, we helped plan the following procedures while we were part of the actual construction process of seven test sites. Peter Bergstrøm, Senior Consultant in Construction Management, started his first day on the project in the middle of the night. The test site by Copenhagen Airport has wide opening hours which prevent constructions from taking place during the day. It would not be his last night shift, but Peter never lacked motivation for staying flexible and working nights. He explains:

When you see the test site staff work so hard, it motivates you to keep working yourself. Especially, because you want to provide them with as good working conditions as possible. It gave our work an extra dimension of meaning.

Peter is backed up by Ina Sybille Hertz Kristensen, Project Manager on the assignment and responsible for the coordination of the 38 MOE employees involved:

People showed a great deal of dedication mainly because everybody understood the importance of the task for our society as a whole. Our partners on the project reflected that attitude as well, not least the Capital Region of Denmark.

Ina Sybille Hertz Kristensen Project Director Building & Design Copenhagen Traffic and accessibility An important competence in this regard was traffic planning. The test sites have a lot of visitors each day and a lot of the sites are located in busy parts of the city. In order to avoid crowds, it was important to conduct an overall analysis of the surrounding traffic conditions. Accessibility and safety for all road users was a top priority. On several test sites new access roads and parking facilities were introduced. Additionally, we helped plan the interior designs of the test centres which revolved around the flow of people. Here, we made use of our competencies within flows and logistics. 35,000 steps The task did not follow any traditional recipe because of the unusual situation as well as the limited time available. Things changed on a day to day basis and decisions were made continuously, which also meant that Site Manager Peter Mikael Madsen had a different role than usual during the construction of the test site Vingelodden in the north-western part of Copenhagen of which he was in charge:

We were forced to make decisions on site regarding design and logistics. This project was limited only by the day’s 24 hours which meant a break-down of professional demarcations when necessary. All hands were on deck when time was sparse and we needed to finish a project. Thus, I have acted as both craftsman and worked with detailed design solutions. One day my step count showed 35,000 steps.

Peter Mikael explains that the process was very rewarding, also on a personal level:

Because we worked on site for so many hours, we gained a personal relationship with the contractors and a free and easy tone came to prevail. It has been a huge inspiration to witness the result of which I myself am now a user, Peter Mikael concludes.

This project was limited only by the day’s 24 hours which meant a break-down of professional demarcations when necessary. All hands were on deck when time was sparse and we needed to finish a project.

Peter Mikael Madsen Consultant Construction Management Copenhagen