Surge Testing Sefton Update

Residents in areas of Sefton which are subject to surge testing are being urged to continue to adhere to national lockdown restrictions.

While there are no extra restrictions in place for those communities where the South African variant of COVID-19 has been discovered, residents are being encouraged to continue to follow national lockdown guidelines and limit their time away from home.

Surge testing, both at Mobile Testing Units (MTUs) and doorstep testing, is currently taking place in the Cambridge, Dukes and Norwood wards of Southport.

Residents aged 16 or over in these wards who are not showing any symptoms of COVID-19 are being encouraged to safely play their part and get tested to help stop the spread of the virus and its variants.

Aside from getting a test, residents should be staying at home as much as possible and only be going out for essential purposes; such as shopping for essential supplies, going to work if we can’t do so from home, providing care and daily exercise.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Everyone in all of our communities should continue to follow the national lockdown restrictions in order to protect our most vulnerable.

“There are no additional restrictions in place for those areas where surge testing is being carried out but we do encourage residents of those areas take extra care and try to limit their time away from home.

“People who live and work in these surge areas can use either of two dedicated MTUs, as long as they don’t have coronavirus symptoms of a high temperature, persistent new cough or a loss of taste or smell.

“It doesn’t take long to get a test and some people may want to call in for theirs while they are out taking their daily exercise.”

Residents and those who work in the areas of Cambridge, Dukes and Norwood wards can visit either the Kew Park & Ride MTU on Foul Lane or the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre MTU on the Promenade.

Both units accept vehicle and walk-in arrivals, while there is no need to book in advance.

Testing runs from 8am-6.30pm at both sites however it is recommended to arrive by 6pm to ensure you are tested.