Covid-19: Merton delivers over 1000 tests in 48 hours

Thousands of door-to-door and coronavirus tests are taking place in Pollard’s Hill, to track the South African variant of the virus after an isolated case was found in January.

Merton says they were the last council to be informed of the need to deliver surge testing, but still managed to launch their service within 48 hours of being informed .

MORE: 'surge' testing launches in Merton amid South African variant

Merton is mobilising dozens of staff on a volunteer basis, provided training, and has already printed thousands of leaflets in various languages to take door-to-door as volunteer staff visit more than 4,500 households with tests.

Pollards Hill test centre

Council Leader Mark Allison paid tribute to council staff and volunteers from the community in Pollards Hill, as well as other those supporting the project.

Cllr Allison said: “Most of all, I am incredibly proud of the job our staff and local volunteers in Pollard’s Hill have done.

"With virtually no notice, they have set up a mobile testing unit, trained dozens of volunteer staff, and worked together with community partners – who have been fantastic in setting up a test pick-up centre in the area.

But there are major unanswered questions here that must be addressed urgently with the Government.

“We know this is a tracking exercise, and there is no likely outbreak of the variant in the community.

"Yet we are asking people to potentially self-isolate to help the programme, with little guarantee of financial help. That isn’t good enough.

“I’m writing to the Prime Minister to urge that means-testing in the areas affected is lifted and that monies for the discretionary scheme are topped up, so we can support those on low incomes who may be asked to stay home from the essential roles that pay their rent.

"In the meantime, we will be doing everything possible within the rules to process payments for as many people as possible if they need our help.

“Additionally, keeping Merton safe is our top priority – but this exercise will cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds in logistics, staffing and other areas.

"The Government has, as usual, promised to reimburse us – but we’ve seen precious few details of this yet.

“Councils are weeks away from setting budgets and council tax levels next month, and without absolute guarantees that the full costs will be recovered, this will be another cost passed to taxpayers, which we will not accept.”