Last updated: 23 November 2020
Anyone with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms can get a test.
Coronavirus symptoms are:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Do not get tests for people you live with who do not have these symptoms. This will make sure people who need a test can get one.
How can I get a test?
You must book an appointment below to take the test:
- at a testing site near you and get your result within 72 hours
- with a home test kit
You can get a test in Wirral at the places listed below. A limited number of tests are available as walk-ins at the Birkenhead, Bebington and Liscard local testing sites. Please check below for details. You must book an appointment if you need a test at all other sites in Wirral. Some testing centres are open temporarily, so please check the opening dates.
| Location | Opening hours | Do I need an appointment? |
|---|---|---|
|
Hamilton Building car park |
8am to 8pm |
We recommend you book to guarantee a test. However, a limited number of walk-in non-appointments are available at this site. |
|
Car park off Civic Way |
8am to 8pm |
We recommend you book to guarantee a test. However, a limited number of walk-in non-appointments are available at this site. |
| Car park off Seaview Road, near Liscard Community Facility Complex |
8am to 8pm |
We recommend you book to guarantee a test. However, a limited number of walk-in non-appointments are available at this site. |
| Heswall Library |
8am to 8pm |
We recommend you book to guarantee a test. However, a limited number of walk-in non-appointments are available at this site. |
|
Open 7 days a week |
Yes, you must book an appointment to get a test. This is a drive-through only site. Priority testing will be given to symptomatic Key Workers and symptomatic individuals followed by asymptomatic Health and Social Care workers. |
|
| Europa Leisure Centre Birkenhead |
Sunday 29 November 10am to 3:30pm |
Yes, you must book an appointment to get a test: |
| Car park at West Kirby Concourse | Tuesday 24 to Friday 27 November |
Yes, you must book an appointment to get a test: |
|
Liverpool Airport, Manchester Airport or Haydock |
7 days a week |
Yes |
Home testing
Home test kits can be delivered to someone’s door so they can test themselves and their family without leaving the house.
What to do if you have symptoms
You need to get a test in the first five days of having symptoms. No testing should be done after day five, unless it’s for a specific reason agreed on a case-by-case basis by local microbiologists.
Everyone over the age of three who is showing symptoms can be tested.
Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must stay at home until you get your result.
The need to self-isolate
Self-isolation is when you do not leave your home because you have or might have coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps stop the virus spreading to other people. If you are unsure as to whether you need to self-isolate, the table below will help:
|
What to do if... |
Action needed... |
Carry on as normal when... |
|---|---|---|
|
...I have Coronavirus symptoms |
- DO NOT go to work/school/ shopping etc - Self-isolate and get a test - Your household and support bubble must also self-isolate |
...the test comes back negative |
|
...I test POSITIVE for Coronavirus |
-DO NOT go to work/school/ shopping etc -Self-isolate for at least 10 days. The 10 days must start from day zero – this is from date of onset of symptoms or in the absence of any symptoms, date of test -Rest of household to self-isolate for 14 days. If you have been in work/school in the 2 days before your symptoms started or whilst had symptoms, you should inform them of your positive test result. |
...you have completed self-isolation period. Keep self-isolating if you have any of these symptoms after 10 days: - a high temperature or feeling hot and shivery - a runny nose or sneezing - feeling or being sick - diarrhoea Only stop self-isolating when these symptoms have gone. The rest of the household must continue to isolate for 14 days from your positive result. A contact having a negative test does not mean that they can stop self-isolation earlier than 14 days. |
|
…somebody in my household/support bubble has Coronavirus symptoms |
- DO NOT go to work/school/ shopping etc - Household to self-isolate - Household member to get a test |
...the household member test is NEGATIVE |
|
…somebody in my household/support bubble has tested POSITIVE for Coronavirus |
- DO NOT go to work/school/ shopping etc - Household/support bubble to self-isolate – you must all complete the full 14 days even if you take a test which comes back negative - Only take a test if you develop symptoms |
…the household has completed 14 days of self-isolation |
|
…NHS Test & Trace or the local public health team have identified me as a ‘close contact’ of somebody with symptoms or confirmed coronavirus |
- DO NOT go to work/school/ shopping etc - Self-isolate for 14 days. You must complete the full 14 days even if you take a test which comes back negative. Only take a test if you develop symptoms - Those you live with do not need to self-isolate if you do not have symptoms - Those in your support bubble do not need to self-isolate if you do not have symptoms |
…you have completed 14 days of self-isolation and haven’t developed symptoms. |
|
…I work with someone who has been told to self-isolate, but doesn’t have symptoms of Coronavirus |
- No action required unless you develop symptoms or are contacted by either NHS Test & Trace or Wirral public health team or your employer has asked you to self-isolate for 14 days |
n/a |
|
…I work with someone who has developed symptoms of Coronavirus |
- No action required unless you develop symptoms or are contacted by either NHS Test & Trace or Wirral public health team or your employer has asked you to self-isolate for 14 days |
n/a |
|
…I work with someone who has tested POSITIVE for Coronavirus |
- No action required unless you develop symptoms or are contacted by either NHS Test & Trace or Wirral public health team or your employer has asked you to self-isolate for 14 days |
n/a |
|
…I have been to a restaurant/shop/gym (or other indoor venue) where another customer has gone on to develop Coronavirus symptoms |
- If you think you’ve been in contact with someone who has Coronavirus, but you do not have symptoms and have not been told to self-isolate, continue to follow social distancing advice |
…n/a. Unless you’re contacted by NHS Test & Trace or the local public health team – continue to follow social distancing advice |
|
…I have been to a restaurant/shop/gym (or other indoor venue) where another customer has gone on to test POSITIVE for Coronavirus |
- If you think you’ve been in contact with someone who has Coronavirus, but you do not have symptoms and have not been told to self-isolate, continue to follow social distancing advice |
…n/a. Unless you’re contacted by NHS Test & Trace or the local public health team – continue to follow social distancing advice |
|
…I/my household travelled and have to self-isolate as part of a period of quarantine |
- DO NOT go to work/school/ shopping etc - Self-isolate for 14 days - even if a test is negative |
…the quarantine period of 14 days has been completed and haven’t developed symptoms |
|
…I am not sure who should get a test for COVID -19 (coronavirus) |
- Only people with symptoms* need to get a test n People without symptoms are not advised to get a test, even if they are a ‘close contact’ of someone who tests positive |
…when conditions above, as matching your situation, are met |
What the test involves
The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.
You can do the swab yourself (if you are aged 12 or over) or someone can do it for you. Parents or guardians have to swab test children aged 11 or under.
COVID-19 Test and Trace service
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 the NHS Test and Trace service will contact you.
Find out more about the Test and Trace service
Privacy information
Coronavirus testing privacy information is available on GOV.UK
Contact us
All testing communications will be sent from covid19testing@wirral.gov.uk. Please use this email address if you have any questions about the testing process.