No date has been set for the opening but it will be sited at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital.

The clinic has been established to screen people with risk factors for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Port Macquarie's Sjanie Turpie has welcomed the move.

Ms Turpie is currently self-isolating after feeling unwell following a trip to the Gold Coast that transited Brisbane Airport.

She said she felt it was her responsibility to take the action.

However, she became frustrated with trying to organise a screening test and decided to take the precaution of self-isolating.

"I have a dry cough and a sore throat and don't feel 100 per cent," she said. "I am also very tired and sleeping a lot."

Ms Turpie flew from Port Macquarie to Brisbane Airport about two weeks ago before taking a shuttle to the Gold Coast.

During the trip she wore a mask but noticed that there were only a handful of other people taking the precaution.

It was on the shuttle that she found herself sitting next to an overseas visitor.

While she was trying to take as many precautions as possible, there were some eye-opening moments during the trip.

"I ordered a coffee at the airport and was really concerned that the staff were placing the coffee cup lids on by hand; and we were then drinking from the cup," she said.

"It's only a minor thing but I do think people need to be more aware.

"I'd really urge people to take every possible precaution."

After arriving home, Ms Turpie became ill and realised the potential for being exposed to COVID-19.

She rang the Healthdirect hotline and managed to talk to staff despite the long wait time.

"I was told that I did not meet the criteria for testing.

"I understand there is a possible shortage of test kits available but I do think it warranted a test," she said.

She also made contact with her medical practitioner and was advised to call the COVID-19 hotline.

After not being able to talk with anyone, Ms Turpie decided to self-isolate.

A nail technician who works from home, she is now without an income.

Ms Turpie urged people to take responsible action and self-isolate if they feel unwell.

She was supportive of having a testing clinic available in the Port Macquarie-Hastings.

Also making news:

Chief executive Mid North Coast Local Health District Stewart Dowrick says the clinic is part of the district's ongoing response to COVID-19.

"The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) is establishing acute respiratory clinics -COVID-19 clinics," he said.

"they will screen people with risk factors for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses such as influenza as we approach the winter season.

"The clinics are part of the district's ongoing response to minimise the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

"Information will be provided to the community once these clinics are operational, including their locations and how to contact them."

The state Labor party has argued the need for clinics to be set up outside metropolitan areas.

Labor says there are currently no dedicated COVID-19 clinics between Wollongong and the Victorian border, no clinics between Newcastle and Lismore, and only one clinic west of Dubbo, in Broken Hill.

Shadow minister for health, Ryan Park says there are currently no COVID-19 clinics north of Newcastle in the Hunter, none on the Mid-North Coast, and none on the North Coast.

"There are already multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 in rural and regional NSW," he said.

"People are understandably concerned about this pandemic right across our state. You don't need to look any further than empty supermarket shelves to see that."

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