Here to help: The Army begin Coronavirus testing in Liverpool

Members of the Armed Forces have arrived in Liverpool to help deliver Covid-19 testing to the city’s residents and workers.

Soldiers examine the lateral flow testing kits they will be providing

Soldiers from 8 Engineer Brigade, 1 Yorkshire Regiment, the King’s Royal Hussars, 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, 39 Regiment Royal Engineers, 1 Rifles and other units drawn from the British Army arrived in Liverpool on Thursday.

Soldiers fetch their bags from a bus as they arrive in Liverpool

Over 2000 personnel from 16 units and over 20 locations have come together to support mass-testing in the city. On arrival they immediately began training on how to administer tests to the public and building the first of 47 static testing sites.

Unloading equipment to build the static testing sites

Military personnel will be working alongside commercial partners and in support of NHS Test and Trace to deliver lateral flow testing. They will also be supporting local logistics planning, and a small team of bio-medical scientists will help train civilians to conduct the tests.

Testing in Liverpool begins this afternoon. Residents can find their nearest Army run walk-in sites through Liverpool City Council.

Read more about how the Armed Forces are ready to support communities in the pandemic:

• The Covid Support Force
• What is Military Aid to Civil Authorities?
• What do military planners do?

Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here 👇