EALING Liberal Democrats have uncovered that the government only told Ealing Council about the variant sample on Wednesday, January 27 and that the Council attended the first meeting on this enhanced testing initiative on Thursday, January 28.

Following the emergence of the South African COVID-19 variant in a sample from a Hanwell (W7) resident on December 29 (nearly a month before the Council was told), Ealing Council has been urging asymptomatic residents and people who work in Hanwell and West Ealing postcodes to get tested.

Ealing Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Gary Malcolm remarked: "It is a great shame that the government kept councils in the dark and were slow to act in informing Ealing Council of the South African variant.

"Thank you to the Ealing Council workers for delivering test kits promptly.

"Liberal Democrats have pressed for a greater testing capacity and from today testing capacity has doubled which is a positive step.

"I urge everyone to get tested by visiting the testing centre at Dean Gardens or when they receive a test kit at their home."