Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Ian Maher has welcomed the news that after the success of the recent army-run mobile pilot Coronavirus (Covid-19) self-testing site in Southport, the exercise is being repeated from this Friday (May 1) to Sunday.
Once again, the council is working with the military and other partners to set up the site at The Eco Centre on Southport’s Esplanade where, during the recent three-day session, 350 people were able to get tested.
Cllr Maher said: “I am delighted that once again Sefton Council is working as part of a partnership to make the site available to carry out these important tests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“Having this site locally will help provide key workers including our own Council colleagues with access to a test and means those whose results come back negative can return to the essential roles they are playing in supporting our communities in the fight against Coronavirus.”
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The previous three-days of testing in Southport, which took place on Wednesday to Friday last week, was the very first pilot facility for key workers with Coronavirus symptoms in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Cllr Maher said: “As well as making possible this second mobile testing site, Sefton Council is working with its partners to secure one or more of the government’s planned satellite testing stations for the borough.”
Feedback from the organisers of the initial site was very positive with Sefton Council staff being described as “extremely patient and polite.”
Tests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be for essential workers including Council, NHS and social care workers with symptoms, anyone aged over 65 with symptoms, anyone with symptoms who cannot work from home and anyone with Coronavirus symptoms who lives with any of these groups.
People must have registered for a test at www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test and have an appointment before going to the site.
