THERE will be a temporary closure of St Helens' asymptomatic coronavirus test centres tomorrow (Friday, January 8).

All symptom-free testing centres across the borough will be closed on Friday. This is to enable the testing centre booths to be replaced.

Booths had originally been hired, due to the quick response needed to get centres open and operating in early December.

The booths will now be made and installed by council employed staff tomorrow, which will mean no ongoing costs from rental.

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The testing sites at St Mary’s Market in St Helens town centre, Chester Lane Community Centre, Sutton and Grange Valley Youth Centre, Haydock offer quick tests that give results after 30 minutes and is open to anyone without any symptoms of COVID-19.

The closure does not affect symptomatic testing which will still be available at Haydock Park Racecourse and the former Parr Stocks Fire Station.

  • Anyone with symptoms, which are a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of smell or taste, can still book a traditional test online at gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test . In order to accommodate the high numbers of people still attending for tests, opening hours will be extended to 10am till 4pm Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10.