Hundreds of locals have rolled up to get tested for COVID-19 at the new drive-through clinic in Port Macquarie.
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The clinic located at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium opened at 12pm on Monday, June 28, to help with the expected increase in testing numbers due to the Sydney outbreak.
"We are expecting testing numbers to increase over the next few days and needed a larger facility to increase our screening capacity," a Mid North Coast Health District spokesperson said.
"We have already seen an increase in people coming forward to get tested over the weekend, which is what we hope to see when an outbreak in the state occurs."
Locals were queuing for up to one hour before the clinic opened, with three lanes of cars being ushered through to get tested.
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The Port Macquarie-Hastings area has been COVID-free for 428 days and the health district is hoping the new clinic will help keep the community safe.
"Opening the facility at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium will increase the number of people getting tested and will make it easier for people as well," the spokesperson said.
The Mid North Coast Health District is reminding locals to follow the current NSW Health restrictions.
"There is no sense of alarm and at this stage and we don't have concerns, we are just doing what is expected when an outbreak occurs in the state.
"We do however encourage people to follow the current guidelines for regional NSW."
The COVID-19 testing clinic at 89 Lake Road is now closed, with all testing being conducted at the drive-through clinic.
The new clinic, servicing the Port Macquarie and Camden Haven areas, will be open from 7.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays.
At this stage weekend opening times will be from 9am to 2pm.
"We're encouraging people to come forward and get tested, even if they have the mildest of symptoms."
Residents are urged to follow the directions of health staff at the testing clinic and to remain in the car.
Restrictions tighten across ALL of regional NSW
In all of NSW the following restrictions will apply until July 9:
- People who have been in the Greater Sydney region (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong) on or after June 21 should follow the stay-at-home orders for a period of 14 days after they left Greater Sydney.
- Visitors to households will be limited to 5 guests - including children;
- Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events;
- Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed;
- Singing by audiences and choirs at indoor venues or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed;
- Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the wedding party only (no more than 20 people);
- Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn);
- The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals;
- Outdoor seated, ticketed events will be limited to 50 per cent seated capacity;
People across NSW should only enter Greater Sydney for essential purposes.
Current stay-at-home orders have been extended across all of Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong until 11.59pm Friday, July 9.
Everyone in Greater Sydney must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason.
