Last updated: 2 June 2020

Information for employers and local businesses

A dedicated Local Testing Co-ordination team is co-ordinating bookings for Coronavirus testing for specified key workers in Wirral. There are regional and satellite testing options for key workers with symptoms.

Regional testing

Wirral residents with symptoms of Coronavirus can access testing at regional centres in Manchester and Haydock. Individuals who meet the Government’s criteria can self-refer for a test.

For more information visit Gov.uk/coronavirus

Book a test at a regional centre

Satellite testing

Wirral Council staff, care providers and services commissioned by Wirral Council, other essential key workers, education workers and over 65s (with symptoms) can access testing at a number of satellite sites by appointment only. Please read criteria below.

Book a test at a satellite site

Eligible people will be contacted and appointments will be offered, where possible, at one of the following sites:

  • Wirral
  • Chester
  • Crewe
  • Liverpool
  • other eligible individuals not covered by the satellite options may be able to access regional testing via the national Government website.

Other key workers not covered by the satellite options may be able to access regional testing via the national Government website. 

Criteria for testing

Currently, the criteria for testing at satellite sites are:

  • Health and Social Care key workers (with or without symptoms), or symptomatic family members or someone who lives in their household causing a key worker to need to self-isolate until COVID-19 can be ruled out (this group has priority for testing)
  • all other essential workers (with symptoms) or symptomatic household members causing a key worker to self-isolate
  • Education staff (including all staff that work in schools) and children returning to school (over 5) with symptoms
  • over 65s with symptoms

Testing should be in the first five days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms (fever or new and persistent cough) or loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste

No testing should be undertaken after day five, unless it’s for a specific reason agreed on a case by case basis by local microbiologists

5-18 year olds can be tested at the Satellite Testing sites, these swabs will need to be taken by the parent or guardian.

The main symptoms of Coronavirus are updated at nhs.uk/coronavirus. It is critical that only eligible individuals are sent to test centres for COVID-19 testing. This is to ensure value of the test itself, and to ensure that all tests are being used to help get key workers who are isolating back to work.

It is critical that only eligible individuals are sent to test centres for COVID-19 testing. This is to ensure value of the test itself, and to ensure that all tests are being used to help get key workers who are isolating back to work.

What happens next?

  • Wirral’s Local Testing Co-ordinating Team will contact key workers using the details provided to confirm their eligibility for a test, as well as date, time and site for test appointment
  • You will then receive an email confirmation of a test appointment
  • Individuals must attend at the specified date and time with photographic ID and their email confirmation. Only individuals with all this information will be accepted for testing.

When will I receive my results?

Individuals will receive their results by text message on the mobile number you have provided as soon as they are ready. This may take up to 72 hours.

Who has access to this information?

This testing has been commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), who is the data controller for data protection purposes.

Any personal data will be retained in accordance with the Records Management Code of Practice for Health and Social Care 2016

All personal data will be stored and processed in the UK. Fully anonymous data e.g. statistical data (which does not allow you to be identified) may be stored and processed outside of the UK.

If you have any queries

All testing communications will be sent from covid19testing@wirral.gov.uk. Please use this email address if you have any queries about the testing process.