The government will open a drive-through coronavirus testing clinic at EPIC on Friday, Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has announced.
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It will be in addition to the dedicated respiratory assessment clinics already operating from the Weston Creek walk-in centre and Canberra Hospital.
"The respiratory assessment clinic at the Weston Creek walk-in centre has been experiencing strong demand, so to assist with meeting this demand we will be providing Canberrans with the option for drive through COVID-19 testing at EPIC," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
People presenting will still need to check they meet the criteria for testing.
"You must also be driving or a passenger of a motor vehicle or motorbike," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
"You will not be able to access the drive through testing service from public transport, or as a pedestrian."
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People presenting to the drive through respiratory assessment clinic will first be screened to ensure they meet the criteria for testing before proceeding by vehicle into the Budawang Pavilion for testing.
They will not be required to leave their vehicle.
Security and traffic operations will be on site to assist with traffic flow.
The drive-through clinic will operate seven days per week, from 9:30am to 6:00pm, and be staffed by nursing and administrative staff from Canberra Health Services.
"It's very convenient for people but it also allows that additional element of protection for our health care workers," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
"We're pretty confident at this time that we're not seeing community transmission of COVID-19 in the ACT."
Australian Medical Association ACT president Antonio Di Dio welcomed the move.
"It is an excellent idea and we need to support it," he said.
"We have an urgent need for appropriate, targeted testing."
You should get tested for COVID-19 if:
- you've travelled overseas recently, and you develop symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of leaving an overseas country
- you have been informed by your local Public Health Unit that you have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you develop symptoms of the disease within 14 days of your last contact with that person
- you're a healthcare worker with direct patient contact, and have fever and acute respiratory symptoms, even if you have not recently travelled or had contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
