PEOPLE living in Brighton are being asked to get on a ferry to the Isle of Wight for a Covid test, it has been claimed.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown, said residents are being told to take the 67-mile journey to the island.

He described the suggestion as an “absolute shambles”.

It comes after The Argus reported how other people suffering from coronavirus symptoms were being told to travel hundreds of miles to visit their nearest testing site.

Mr Russell-Moyle said: “I’m now being told that Brighton residents are being asked to go to the Isle of Wight for a Covid test. That’s a 67-mile journey which would involve a ferry.

“This is after they closed the Brighton testing centre. Absolute shambles.”

The Argus:

The advice on where to go came from the government’s website, which provides a suggested “test site near you” after people suffering from coronavirus symptoms put in their location and other details.

Mr Russell Moyle added: “We’ve now managed to get tests for some people in hospital – but only after complaining.

“This is clearly not acceptable. We need drastic action to deal with this situation.

“The government is trying to shift blame on the individual and limit gatherings of people.

“This is the consequence of government failure, not individual failure.”

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms can get a test. You can get a test for someone you live with if they have these symptoms.

You can book a visit to a test site to have the test the same day, or order a home test kit if you cannot get to a test site. On days one to four, you can get tested at a site or at home. On day five, you need to go to a test site as it is too late to order a home test kit.

For more information on getting tested, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

Albion have volunteered their stadium site for a coronavirus testing centre to save people having to travel hundreds of miles.

The club have made health services and Brighton and Hove City Council aware of this and bosses are now waiting to see if they will be taken up on their offer.

The Argus:

The Argus asked the council and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) if there would be a new testing site at the Amex and was told the government group was “working to open at least two additional regional testing sites in the region in the coming weeks”.

It is not known if one of these will be at Albion’s ground.

The Amex was previously the site of a testing centre, which was opened in April.

It was shut late last month with the return of competitive football just around the corner.