COVID-19 testing wait times have expanded considerably. Photo: File.
Waiting times at the Weston Creek COVID-19 walk-in centre have blown out to more than three hours. The steady increase in demand for COVID-19 testing in the ACT over the past few days comes off the back of a cluster of cases linked to the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.
ACT Health is keeping an eye on the situation and despite Batemans Bay being a popular destination for Canberrans, Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith says there is no “do not travel” warning in place at the moment.
However, Canberrans should reconsider their need to travel outside the local region unless it is necessary as cases across NSW and Victoria begin to increase.
SEE ALSO: Batemans Bay COVID-19 outbreak a threat to Canberrans.
The Minister also reminded residents that a Public Health Direction is in place for a number of locations in NSW. This Direction legally requires anyone who has been in some of the affected locations identified by NSW Health to self-quarantine for 14 days from the date they were there, even if they do not have any symptoms.
At this time, the locations are:
- Batemans Bay Soldiers Club – Monday 13 July, Wednesday 15 July to Friday 17 July
- Crossroads Hotel in Casula – between Friday 3 July to Friday 10 July
- Planet Fitness in Casula – between Saturday 4 July and Friday 10 July
- Picton Hotel in Picton – on Saturday 4 July, Sunday 5 July, Thursday 9 July or Friday 10 July.
People who visited these locations on the specified dates are asked to get in contact with ACT Health through the COVID-19 Helpline on 02 6207 7244 so ACT Health can support individuals through their quarantine.
These people are also encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 even if they have no symptoms.
The new health direction was announced on the same day that ACT Health confirmed two of Canberra’s five positive cases had recovered.
The latest Public Health Direction is available on the ACT COVID-19 website.
ACT COVID-19 testing clinics. Image: ACT Health.
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