ACT opens new testing site at Brindabella Business Park as Covid reaches Canberra

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr confirmed on Thursday a Covid case had been detected in the community and the territory would enter a snap seven-day lockdown from 5pm.

Authorities said were preparing a new drive-through site on Molonglo Drive in Brindabella Business Park to cope with the onset of Canberrans looking to get tested.

The clinic opened at 4pm on Thursday and was to remain open until 8pm. It will be open from 8am on Friday.

Testing capacity at the EPIC testing clinic and Weston Creek walk-in clinic will also be ramped up in response to the demand, although there are reports of long waits to get tested.

The ACT government said it was prioritising close contacts and people with symptoms.

"We know that people will be concerned about having COVID-19 in the community, but we must prioritise our testing to people with symptoms and people identified as a close contact by ACT Health," the statement said.

Anyone who attended any of the venues listed during the exposure times is considered a close contact and must quarantine for 14 days and get tested.

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The Canberra Times understands people attending the EPIC testing centre have been turned away as the clinic looks to prioritise those identified as close contacts or those who had visited exposure sites.

Testing staff reportedly asked clinic attendees to show whether they had received a text from health authorities asking them to get tested.

Visitors said they were already experiencing a four-hour wait at the Mitchell site before midday.

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