UK: Start of coronavirus testing for everyone in Liverpool

A pilot scheme for mass coronavirus testing began in the U.K. city of Liverpool on Friday, coming after the government imposed strict new restrictions in England in an attempt to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The pilot, named "operation moonshot" encourages everyone who lives or works in the city to get tested, even if they do not have symptoms.

While most tests will be a type that hopes to deliver results in around 24 hours, the government is hoping new tests which give results in 20-30 minutes will give health services an edge in combating the spread of the virus.

A similar mass testing scheme has already been trialed in hospitals in Manchester, Southampton and Basingstoke.

The chairperson of the Liverpool's Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr. Fiona Lemmens, said on U.K. Broadcaster Sky that people should sign up to get tested "for their families and their friends and for the city as a whole".

Pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops in England have all be ordered to close until 2 December, but many are allowed to continue providing takeaway food.

Owner of a local Liverpool restaurant Jay Shukla speaking to Sky, said he hoped the testing pilot works because he needs to "open up the business again."

"We don't want the empty tables anymore", he said.