Fans attending LFC v Palace strongly recommended to take COVID-19 test
Liverpool City Council's Ground Safety Advisory Group and Public Health Department are strongly recommending supporters who are attending the final game of the season at Anfield to take a lateral flow test prior to the match.
The 10,000 tickets available for the Crystal Palace fixture are being sold via a ballot and the city’s health experts are asking fans to take a test 24 to 36 hours prior to kick-off. Access to COVID-19 tests across the city are being expanded in advance of the game.
Matt Ashton, director of public health at Liverpool City Council, said: “The return of football fans to Anfield for the last home game of the season is a landmark moment in our slow return to normality from the grip of lockdown.
“Whilst it is a cause for celebration, the threat of coronavirus, including the new COVID-19 strain (originally detected in India), is very real within our city region.
“It is vitally important that we continue to protect each other, our loved ones, the community and the NHS. Getting tested when attending events is a key part of that.
“I’d like to thank Liverpool Football Club for their support in encouraging their fans to take this test. We will mobilise community testing centres to make the tests as accessible to as many fans as possible. We would also like to remind supporters that testing kits are available from various locations within the community and can even be sent directly to their home.
“The test takes no time at all and does not hurt. By getting a negative result, fans will be able to watch the game with the peace of mind that they are doing so safely.”
The Crystal Palace fixture will kick off at 4pm on Sunday May 23 at Anfield.
COVID-19 testing information
Liverpool City Council is extending the opening hours of community testing sites from Tuesday May 18 and will also deploy two mobile testing units to Anfield the day before and the day of the match. Find your local test centre here.
Home testing kits can be collected from any community testing site from today through until matchday for fans who want to test at home, or alternatively can be collected from pharmacies or ordered and delivered to your home address here.
Mobile testing for Anfield
- May 22 – at Stanley Park car park, 9am to 5pm
- May 23 – at Stanley Park car park plus another Anfield location (TBC), 9am to 4pm
All sites, dates and times are subject to change in accordance with ongoing Liverpool City Council public health advice and guidance.