Mobile COVID-19 testing units will be sent to a number of regional centres in Tasmania during January to help lift the statewide testing rate, the government has announced.
Minister for Health, Sarah Courtney said to help boost testing numbers, the mobile clinics program would run over a series of four weekends from January 9 in St Helens, Swansea, Strahan, Queenstown and Smithton.
“Four of the mobile clinics will run across Friday/Saturday to offer a weekday and weekend day option,” said Ms Courtney.
The proposed timetable is as follows:
Round 1
9-10 January 2021 St Helens
Round 2
15 January 2021 Strahan
16 January 2021 Queenstown
Round 3
22-23 January 2021 Swansea
Round 4
29-30 January 2021 Smithton
“Mobile Clinics are a key component of the Tasmanian COVID-19 Testing Strategy, which is aimed at increasing access to testing and increasing testing numbers across the state,” the Health Minister said.
The four clinics in the major population centres will continue to operate seven days a week. Their hours of operations are:
- Thursday 31 December (Hobart, Launceston and Burnie) – 8:30am to 3.30pm
- Thursday 31 December (East Devonport) – 7.30am to 2.30pm
- Friday 1 January (all clinics) – 8:30am to 11:30am
These clinics will return to normal operating times from January 2. They are 8:30am to 3:30pm for Hobart, Launceston and Burnie and 7:30am to 2:30pm for East Devonport.
“Everyone should remain vigilant for symptoms over the holiday period, isolate themselves if unwell, and go to a testing clinic or speak to their GP to get tested,” said Ms Courtney.
“We continue to thank Tasmanians for their ongoing vigilance and for continuing to do the right thing and get tested, even with mild symptoms.”
More information can be found by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
