New coronavirus test sites for Sefton

New locations in Sefton have been confirmed for visits by mobile coronavirus testing units.

Following successful visits by mobile test centres to Litherland, Maghull and Southport, Sefton Council has had confirmation from the Department of Health and Social Care that parking areas at Bootle Town Hall and Crosby Civic Hall are going to be used as sites for the drive-through tests.

The first of these has been scheduled to take place at Bootle Town Hall from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 July and the first planned visit to Crosby Civic Hall is between Monday 13 and Wednesday 15 July.

Around 5,000 people have already been able to take tests thanks to the borough’s Mobile Units, which are supported by Sefton Council, NHS Southport and Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG.

Run by military staff throughout Merseyside, mobile testing units typically visit each location for three days with testing taking place between around 10am and 4pm. Because they are drive-through sites, people being tested do not need to leave their cars.

Tests are available for anyone but they need to have made an appointment first at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus  or by calling 119.  Essential workers still need to book through www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer of NHS South Sefton and NHS Southport and Formby CCGs, said: “It’s good news that eligible Sefton residents now have more opportunities to be tested for coronavirus closer to home through the mobile units and the addition of new sites in Bootle.

“This is particularly important for those who may find it difficult to travel to the regional centres in Liverpool, Haydock and Manchester.

She added: “These mobile testing units are a fantastic example of how partners across health and care are working together locally to respond to COVID-19.”

Cllr Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council, said: “I am delighted that thanks to the success of the Litherland, Maghull and Southport sites so many people have been able to take these vital tests and that we have now been able to agree these two new locations.

“Testing is vital to the ongoing work to overcome COVID-19 and prevent its spread and thanks to these new sites, testing will be going on somewhere in the Sefton borough nearly every day in July.”

Cllr Maher also stressed the importance of anyone being contacted by the NHS Test and Trace system because they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to register with the service.

He added:“It’s vital that if people receive a text, email or phone call from a contact tracer, they respond by registering with the service and providing some information confidentially to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and that they self-isolate for 14 days.

“The contact tracers are to make sure people contacting them have the right information and support they need to isolate as well as asking about other people they have been in contact with to help them identify anyone else who may be at risk.”

Cllr Maher also pointed out that no legitimate person contacting you about test and trace will ever ask for payment or your bank details.

People contacted by NHS Test and Trace service can register at https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk or by calling 119.