A NEW regional coronavirus testing centre is set to open in Runcorn.

Seventeen new, large-scale semi-permanent Covid-19 test sites are set to be opened across the country over the next six weeks.

And Cheshire and Merseyside’s latest facility will be based on the car park of the Heath Business Park.

It is expected to open on Wednesday, November 4, and will be in operation seven days a week between 8am and 8pm.

Halton Borough Council’s public health consultant and lead on testing Julia Rosser said: “People did experience difficulties in getting a test when and where they needed it during the summer.

“However, both the sites and the laboratory capacity now seem to have improved significantly – we are seeing that our sites have availability for testing on a daily basis, particularly at weekends, and would encourage anyone who needs a test to book a test.

“We have worked together across Cheshire and Merseyside to get this right and ensure that testing is easily available to anyone who needs it.

“The sites we now have in place – whether they are regional, local or mobile – allow people who develop symptoms to quickly get a test and find out whether they need to continue to self-isolate.”

Runcorn’s regional testing site joins existing centres at Haydock Park and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Residents can book appointments if they have symptoms at gov.uk or by calling 119.