Mass coronavirus testing for people without symptoms is to be rolled out in Sefton.
A pilot mass testing programme began in Liverpool last Friday and now residents in places including Southport, Formby, Crosby and Bootle will be able to get tested too.
People will be able to benefit from the new Lateral flow tests, have a turnaround time of under an hour.
Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said: “I am delighted that people across our borough are going to benefit from the new Lateral flow tests.
“Although we have been limited with the number of tests and will only be able to test 10% of the population it’s another way of identifying people who have coronavirus before they show symptoms.
“This will help reduce the number of people they might spread it to and in turn it will reduce the overall transmission rate.
“Sefton residents and people who work here who don’t have coronavirus symptoms will be able to go and get a test. They will quickly receive a result, which hopefully confirms they don’t have Covid-19 and are not infectious.
“Those people who don’t have symptoms but who receive a positive test result, meaning they are infectious and could prevent a risk to any of their family, friends and colleagues who may be vulnerable, will then be able to isolate for the required period.
“By taking the tests regularly, people across the borough will be able to monitor their condition, which will help to reduce infections rates and help pave the way back to some kind of normality in the future.”
Lateral flow tests have been available since Friday for people who live or are employed in Liverpool, including Sefton residents who work in the city.
Cllr Maher said: “We have already secured significant walk-through and drive-through testing facilities in Sefton.
“Over the coming days we will learn lessons from Liverpool and decide how we deploy the tests.
“In the meantime, I would urge anyone who feels any of the symptoms of coronavirus coming on, whether that’s a high temperature, a new cough or they lose their sense of smell or taste, it’s time to get a test straight away.
“The sooner people do this, the quicker they can find out if they are Covid positive and the more quickly they can start taking measures to isolate and protect the people around them.”
To make an appointment for a test people can call 119 or visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Sefton has four walk-through test centres for people who are showing coronavirus symptoms, at Bootle Town Hall, Crosby Library, Netherton Activity Centre and Southport Town Hall. And now, extra Mobile Coronavirus Testing Units are being deployed across the Borough.
Mobile Units are on site at Southport Esplanade Coach Park and in Litherland Sports Park and Aintree Race Course until Friday 20th November, apart from on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th, and also at Maghull Town hall on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November.
Find out more about where and when tests are available in Sefton.
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