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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

Residents in the Cambridge, Dukes and Norwood wards of Southport are being reminded of surge testing taking place to help combat the South African variant of COVID-19.

Testing for the South African variant of the COVID-19 virus is being carried out, both at Mobile Testing Units and door-to-door visits, in all three wards after Sefton Council was notified of two, apparently unrelated historic cases in the area.

The local authority is urging everyone aged 16 or over within the target areas who do not have any symptoms to get a test. Residents of these wards can access a Mobile Testing Unit (MTU) at the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre car park or at the MTU sited the former Kew Park and Ride site on Foul Lane.

Open every day from 8am to 6.30pm, both Units are specifically for identifying cases of the variant and are accessible either via car or walk-in. Residents are advised to arrive before 6pm to ensure they get tested.

Testing is quick and simple, allowing residents to play their part while going about their daily exercise or travelling to and from work.

Volunteers from the local authority and its partners are complimenting both MTU centres with door-to-door testing visits to ensure those who cannot leave their homes are also offered a test.

Any residents who are displaying symptoms or signs of COVID-19 should not attend these sites and instead book a test online, by calling 119 or by using the NHS COVID-19 app.

Sefton are reminding all residents across the borough to continue to follow the national lockdown regulations to protect themselves and others.

Residents should be staying at home 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 their daily exercise.

When outside in our communities, it is important people ensure they the keep to 2-metres’ distancing, wear masks or face coverings and wash their hands thoroughly and frequently.

For more information about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Sefton, visit www.https://www.sefton.gov.uk/covid-19-in-sefton.