A two-week coronavirus testing pilot scheme has been launched in Liverpool. Half a million people will be offered regular coronavirus testing from Friday, November 6. If the pilot is successful, wider testing could be rolled out across the country over the coming months.
Coronavirus cases have been on the rise in England in recent weeks, prompting the Prime Minister to announce another nationwide lockdown in England until December 2.
In his Downing Street announcement on October 31, Boris Johnson announced rapid coronavirus testing will be rolled out over the coming weeks and months.
If the pilot in Liverpool is successful, Mr Johnson has suggested millions of tests could be distributed by Christmas.
Every resident who lives in Liverpool, or anyone who works in the city, is being encouraged to get tested for coronavirus even if they do not have symptoms.
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Liverpool was chosen for the trial as it has been under strict lockdown restrictions for a while, with high rates of coronavirus transmission reported in the region.
Without a vaccine presently, rapid testing has been suggested as one solution to getting coronavirus cases down in the UK.
Lateral flow tests give results in under one hour, and in Liverpool people will be offered the tests with the existing swab tests.
The tests could help to identify people who have coronavirus and could potentially pass the virus to others but are asymptomatic.
If you do not have symptoms, the Government website explains: “When you see this question: ‘Is the person who needs a test part of a trial or government pilot project?’, answer ‘yes’.
“Then select, ‘They live or work in Liverpool and are taking part in city-wide testing’.
“You’ll see a list of test sites near you. Choose one and book your appointment.”
If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you can get a test at a drive-through or walk-through testing site.
If you cannot get to a test site, or are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, you can order a home test instead.
