Symptom-free Covid-19 testing began in Wirral today to help stop the spread of the coronavirus this winter.

Testing is available at four testing centres across the Borough and will enable thousands of residents without symptoms to get tested so they can be supported to isolate before they develop symptoms and reduce the spread of the virus.

The Army will provide support with the initial set up with sites identified at:

The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton - open 7 days a week 10am to 7pm (last test at 6:30pm)

Greasby Library - open 7 days a week 10am to 7pm (last test at 6:30pm)

Eastham Library - open 7 days a week 10am to 7pm (last test at 6:30pm)

Birkenhead Market - open 6 days Mon – Sat 9am to 5pm (last test at 4:30pm, closed Sundays)

No booking is required in the first week of testing but you will need a mobile number or email address to register when you arrive. If you do not have a mobile number or email address you will be asked to call 119 to get your results.

Councillor Janette Williamson, Leader of Wirral Council said: "I'm hugely grateful for the support of the army in helping us to bring symptom-free testing to Wirral. This testing, delivered across four testing centres, will help us to limit the spread of Covid-19 in our community.

"Wirral has done so well to reduce the spread of COVID-19 over the last few months and no-one wants to see our numbers creep back up again over Christmas and into the New Year. By being able to offer large scale symptom-free testing to our entire population we will hopefully be able to keep the rate of infection down, prevent more people from becoming unwell, protect our most vulnerable and stop our health services from being overwhelmed.

"This is a great opportunity for us all to fight back against this virus and stop its spread in the community, I would urge anyone who does not have symptoms to get a test."

Testing will be available to anyone who lives or works in Wirral who does not have Covid-19 symptoms.

Director of Public Health for Wirral Julie Webster said: "While it will help pave the way toward a return to normality, community testing will only be effective if we continue to wear a face covering, regularly wash our hands and keep a safe distance from others.

"We have learned a lot from Liverpool and would particularly like to see people who work in retail, hospitality, education and the trades taking this opportunity to have a test. The more bus drivers, hairdressers, beauty therapists and all those who make up the non-clinical frontline get involved the better our chances will be to keep Wirral well."

If you visit a symptom-free testing centre and test positive you must self-isolate. Guidance and support to do so is available here.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you must not attend one of the symptom free sites. You MUST self-isolate and get a test by making an appointment by clicking or tapping here.

Wirral Council is recruiting staff to operate the testing sites, and to administer the tests to the residents who attend. More information and an application form for these temporary roles is available here.