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A Mobile Testing Centre for Coronavirus is operating at Maghull’s Meadows Leisure Centre from Monday 18^th to Wednesday 20^th May.

Tests are available for symptomatic key workers such as local authority, health, care police, fire and prison staff as well as over-65s workers who are self-isolating because they are showing corona symptoms or because a household members is showing Coronavirus symptoms.

Anyone attending must have pre-booked an appointment by visiting www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test and have an appointment before going to the site. The tests are not open to the wider public.

Testing is vital to the ongoing work to overcome COVID-19 and enable key workers who test negative to return to their life-saving work.

Sefton’s Municipal Golf Courses have held fees at 2019/20 levels.

The announcement comes as Bootle Golf Course and Southport Golf Links prepare to re-open on Wednesday 20 May at 9am, after Coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted. There will be some changes to the operations though, as we slowly relax the lockdown measures:

Tee slots, which must be booked in advance over the phone, will be available every 10minutes for pairs or single golfers from 9am to 7pm only.

A full list of regulations can be found here.

Golfers will only be able to play by booking a tee time through the respective golf club shops, which will open on Monday 18 May to take bookings. Phone 0151 928 1371 to book a tee time at Bootle Golf Course or 01704 535286 for Southport Golf Links.

Facilities will be closed (including toilets) and the shop will only be able to take payments (by card) for green fees. Food and drink and golf equipment is not currently available for sale or hire in accordance with Government guidelines.

Under 16s who sign up as members will also be able to enjoy free golf for the first four weeks of the re-opening.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted that the facilities at Bootle and Southport have been able to re-open, although on a limited basis, and that we can offer an affordable way to enjoy the game. Golf is a healthy activity and we want to encourage young people to get involved and keep active, but everyone should bear in mind that social distancing measures are still in place. We are opening the courses on a limited basis at the moment, and will amend the approach in line with national guidance, and with the health and safety of players and our staff in mind.

Last week, Sefton Council announced it had re-opened outdoor tennis and basketball courts. Children’s playgrounds, outdoor gyms, bowling greens, dog areas and pavilions and buildings in parks will remain closed for the time being.

To minimise the chances of infection, the Green Sefton team has asked visitors to the parks and the coast to take their litter home with them. The Council is also asking people to continue being its eyes and ears and to report any large gatherings to the police by dialling 101 or to greensefton@sefton.gov.uk

Many Sefton Council car parks have remained open even during lockdown. With the exception of park and ride and multi storey car parks, all other council-run car parks are now fully open and charges will apply to these car parks and on-street parking.

Motorists are reminded that they can pay for parking by phone at most locations. They are also being  urged to sanitise thoroughly is they do use a pay & display machine.

The authority however is not responsible, nor has any control over the operation of privately owned car parks.

Civil Enforcement Officers will be following all guidance on social distancing. These officers are providing a vital and much needed service to ensure our borough’s incredible emergency services and NHS staff are able to freely move throughout Sefton without obstruction.

We know the vast majority of our residents will appreciate that this is an important service and that our operatives are simply doing their job.

However we will not tolerate any abuse, either verbal, written or physical, towards officers who are simply carrying out their day to day duties.

Moreover, we would not expect significant numbers using these car parks as the vast majority of our residents should be staying at home, in alignment with the national guidance.