A COMMUNITY hall in Romsey could transform into a coronavirus vaccine hub from tomorrow as the nation endures a third lockdown.

Crosfield Hall, Broadwater Road, is due to be used as a vaccination site on Thursday and Friday, according to deputy leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Cllr Nick Adams-King.

He said the hall could also be used on Tuesday, January 12 and Thursday, January 14, after the community facility was first turned into a vaccine hub on December 22 and 23 last year.

The Romsey-based charity, Unity, is preparing to help with the vaccine rollout using their army of volunteers, which has seen more than 500 people across the borough sign up to aid the cause.

In association with the Andover Primary Care Network and the Romsey & North Baddesley Primary Care Network, Unity will help ensure everything runs smoothly, including checking to make sure that people know what to expect when they go in.

Hampshire Chronicle: People at the hall when it was first used as a vaccine hub People at the hall when it was first used as a vaccine hub

Unity CEO, Terry Bishop, said: "Since the start of the Covid-19 vaccinations in December and Unity’s plea for people to volunteer to help us help the NHS, we have registered more than 500 people who have offered their time across the borough for this critical initiative.

"The Unity team is now gearing up to support the Primary Care Networks and their ongoing vaccination programme, which will start again this week.

"Our thanks must go to everyone registering to assist; we are extremely proud to be a part of this programme which will change lives."

Cllr Adams-King said: "Clearly, we have a very difficult few weeks ahead of us and the only bright spot is the vaccine hubs are reopening, and are likely to be open on a much more frequent basis.

"I would urge everybody when they get a call from their GP to go and have the jab, as this is how we are going to get back to normal."

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Nick Adams-KingCllr Nick Adams-King

The news comes as a third national lockdown was announced on Monday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, meaning England will face tough new rules this week to control the spread of Covid-19.

The PM revealed in his 8pm televised appearance a new 'stay at home' order.

Residents are allowed out only for a few reasons - medical assistance, essential shopping, essential work, escaping domestic abuse among them.

However, there is a ray of hope with the rollout of the Oxford University and AstraZeneca vaccine kicking off in the UK on Monday.

Just over half a million doses of the newly approved vaccine became available, with the Government aiming to administer two million per week.