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Litherland will once again be the venue for a Coronavirus Mobile Test Centre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11^th, 12^th and 13^th June.

Located at Litherland Sports Park, the site will provide clinical diagnosis tests that tell people if they currently have the Covid-19 virus. 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.

Key NHS and care workers can now attend the regional testing sites at Haydock and Manchester Airport without the need for an appointment.

Testing is vital to the ongoing work to overcome COVID-19 and enable key workers who test negative to return to that work. Almost 3,200 people have already been tested at the Borough’s previous Mobile Test Sites, including 695 over 3 days in Litherland last week.

The Government has said that through its NHS Test and Trace service, anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted and will need to share information about their recent interactions. This could include household members, people with whom they have been in direct contact, or within 2 metres for more than 15 minutes.

Those people identified as having been in close contact with someone who has had a positive test result will then be required to stay at home for 14 days. They must do this even if they do not have symptoms, to prevent them spreading the virus without knowing.

People in isolation who develop symptoms can book their own test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. If they test positive, they must continue to stay at home for 7 days or until their symptoms have passed. If they test negative, they must complete the 14-day isolation period.

With the news last week that the R- infection rate in the North West of England is around 1, Sefton Council is reminding people that if they do have to leave the house they should stay 2 metres (approximately 4 steps) away from those who aren’t members of their household. And the Government has announced that from next Monday, anyone using public transport will be required to wear a face covering.

Questions & Answers on Test and Trace and Antibody testing.

Sefton Council is showing its support to the hundreds of volunteers across the borough as part of the national Volunteers’ Week celebration.

Volunteers have a huge impact on the lives of residents across Sefton, not just during this time of crisis, but all year round.

Working with Sefton CVS, Sefton Council has created a volunteer network to help coordinate and share resources.

This has been vital in helping to support our elderly and vulnerable residents at this time.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone in Sefton working hard to ensure that we support local people during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  Throughout our incredible borough we have seen an amazing community response.

“These are difficult and challenging times for us all. Sefton’s response means that we are confident that by continuing to work together we will be able to support local people.  We are so proud to be part of Team Sefton.”

Tanya Wilcox, Sefton Council’s Head of Communities, said: “Volunteers make an invaluable contribution to our communities every day. This support has really come to the fore at this time. As a Council we are delighted to support Volunteers’ Week and salute the hard work of people who make such a difference to so many lives in Sefton.”

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Volunteers are an integral part of our borough. Year after year volunteers give up their own time to step up to the plate and help others, from delivering food parcels to running food banks. Our volunteers are so important in these hard times, helping us deliver the services that people need. Since COVID-19 we now have an extra 2,000 volunteers. We have such a strong, dynamic volunteer system in the borough and it exemplifies the spirit of the people of Sefton.”

For more information about volunteering in Sefton during this time visit https://www.sefton.gov.uk/miscellaneous-pages/volunteering-during-covid-19.aspx

Responding to events that have taken place across the United States over the past week, Sefton Council will be illuminating Bootle Town Hall and Crosby Library tonight.

The Council has also re-stated its determination to stand together when anyone faces racism, discrimination, bigotry or oppression.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said;

 “The Council has a proud history of supporting equality and diversity across our beautiful Borough and beyond and remains committed to providing and supporting an environment and communities where all our people are valued for who they are at all times.

“Current events are striking a chord with many of us across Sefton, Merseyside, the UK and the world and illuminating Bootle Town Hall and Crosby Library tonight is to mark that resonance.”

Sefton Council’s commitment to diversity has been acknowledged in a number of ways including receipt of the Navajo Merseyside and Cheshire LGBTIQ Chartermark Certificate, shortlisting for a national award for its work with people who are learning disabled and an award in 2016 for work to combat child sexual exploitation.

Sefton Council is also part of the Department for Work and Pensions’ national Disability Confident Employer scheme.