HALTON residents will soon be able to visit two new coronavirus testing sites that have been given the green light to operate in the borough.

The walk-through facilities located in Runcorn and Widnes will offer people the opportunity to get tested for Covid-19 quickly and close to home should they need it.

The semi-permanent sites will be located on the car park behind St Paul’s Health Centre in Runcorn Old Town and the vacant police station and magistrates’ site in Kingsway, Widnes.

They are expected to be up and running early this month, September, and have been designed to supplement existing regional and mobile testing units.

The idea behind walk-through appointments is to improve access for the whole community, especially those who do not have access to a car or should not be using public transport because they have symptoms.

Unlike mobile testing units, which are often deployed for around four days, these new sites will be open for several months to ensure that accessible testing is continually available to people within Halton.

Each is likely to have between four and eight testing bays which can each test up to three people an hour, with appointments available via nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

Commenting on the plans, director of public health Eileen O’Meara said: “We have a low number of cases of Covid-19 in Halton at the moment, and it is essential that we do all we can to keep it that way.

“Having these testing sites on our doorstep will mean people are able to get a test straight away without having to travel as soon as they feel unwell, and by doing so, will help us to keep our whole community safe. 

“We have been working very closely with colleagues in the NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside and the Department for Health and Social Care to ensure that we have the most accessible testing facilities for the people of Halton, when and where they need them.

“I am delighted that these sites will be up and running by early September.

“As well as reducing the risk of a local outbreak happening, these local sites will put us in a much better position to respond to any challenges that the autumn and winter months may bring.”