A new symptom-free Covid-19 testing centre will open its doors in Thatto Heath this Friday (12th March).
Located in the Perth Community Centre, on the junction of Elephant Lane and Dunedin Street, the new testing centre will be open from 1pm to 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for anyone who does not have covid symptoms to get one of the quick tests that will tell you whether you have Covid-19 within 30 minutes.
As with the other testing sites at St Mary’s Market, Grange Valley Youth Centre, Chester Lane Community Centre and the Torus Housing Office on Newton Road, Parr, it will operate on a walk-in basis, with no need to book.
These testing centres are for people who do not have Covid-19 symptoms. If you think you have symptoms, including a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus or call 119 to book a traditional PCR test at one of the borough’s symptomatic test centres.
The opening of the Thatto Heath testing centre on Friday coincides with a day of action in the area which will see St Helens Borough Council’s Covid Marshals and Merseyside Police take to the streets, parks, and businesses to promote take up of asymptomatic (symptom-free) testing in the community, increase understanding of the current restrictions among residents and businesses, and emphasise the enforcement powers available to police and the local authority for those found flouting the rules.
Councillor Anthony Burns, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said: “Symptom- free testing is really vital at the minute as we prepare for the gradual unlocking of businesses and services as a way we can try to contain the spread by catching those who may have the virus but have no symptoms.
“We need any way we can to cut the chains of transmission to help us reduce the risk of rates increasing again. The things that we’ve missed like going to the rugby, supporting our amazing cafes, bars and restaurants and meeting others are almost here again – only if we can keep the virus under control. So please get tested regularly if you don’t have any symptoms so that we can get back to the things we love.”
Symptom-free tests (or ‘lateral flow’ tests) are point of care tests, so don’t need to be processed in a lab. Results are ready very quickly – from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. Residents will receive their tests results by text or email soon after they leave the test centre.
For more information on when and how testing will be available and a list of frequently asked questions, please visit sthelens.gov.uk/LetsGetTested
