Demand for Covid tests causes long queues at Lismore Base Hospital

A Northern NSW’s hospital based Covid-19 testing clinic has been under increased demand as holiday-makers seek clearance for interstate travel.

Lismore Base Hospital’s Covid testing clinic saw wait times of up to three and a half hours on Boxing Day 2021.

The holiday season has brought with it Covid congestion as residents, travellers and holiday-makers move about the country.

The Covid-19 testing clinic at the Lismore Base Hospital has had queues descending Uralba Street and around the corner into Hunter Street as people wait to get tested.

Some have been standing in the sun for more than three and a half hours.

Gail Snyders said she was in the process of moving to Queensland.

She felt testing resources weren’t being used appropriately.

“I think for interstate travel a rapid antigen test should be enough at this stage,” she said.

Others have come prepared, bringing camping chairs and umbrellas to protect themselves from the summer sun.

Jessie Goodwin from Lismore said he’d been waiting in line “too long”.

Lismore Base Hospital Covid testing clinic queue trickling around the corner into Hunter street.

“I’m hot, I’m sticky, I’m sweaty,” he said.

“The sun’s out and there’s no seats.

“But the lovely nurses brought out a thing of water which was good.”

Some in line were anxious to be cleared after being identified as a first contact while others just wanted to have the process over and done with so they could visit their families across the Queensland border.

Locals and interstate travellers began queuing up at the clinic early on Sunday morning to avoid the queues.

Some left in hopes the numbers of people wanting for a test reduced but others said they would wait it out so they don’t “waste another day”.

See below for an interactive map of available testing clinics in the Northern Rivers.