A NEW COVID-19 testing clinic has opened in Queanbeyan to meet increased demand for tests following the outbreak in the ACT.

The NSW government’s drive-through covid testing facility, located at Seiffert Oval, opened on Saturday (August 14).

It comes on the back of Laverty pathology closing its testing facility at the Queanbeyan Showground for part of the weekend.

The new testing clinic, set up with the help of local Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers, was established by NSW Health in response to the growing demand for testing in the region following the virus returning to the ACT.

Laverty Pathology’s drive-through testing clinic at the Queanbeyan showground was closed for part of the weekend, but has re-opened today (August 16).

Residents experienced lengthy queues and long wait times at the showground testing facility last week.

Reports have also emerged of wait times for test results, conducted by Laverty, blowing out to three days and longer.

In a Facebook post to NSW residents, Laverty, which operates 44 drive-through COVID-19 testing clinics across the state, said it was processing up to 30,000 tests per day, and working “around the clock” in support of the community.

The post indicated that results for close contacts or healthcare workers and tests from aged care and quarantine facilities “should” be delivered within about 24 hours; and all other results within about 72 hours.

Laverty, one of the state’s major pathology services, said it was “working on improving these times back to the targeted 24-48 hours.”

Queanbeyan joined the state-wide seven-day lockdown at 5pm Saturday.

Access to the Seiffert Oval drive-through testing clinic is via Yass Road. Children aged two years old and younger should attend the Queanbeyan Hospital clinic if they need a test.