ACT Government to close drive through Covid-19 test site

ACT’s drive-through Covid-19 testing centre will close on Friday. Find out what it means for you.

The ACT Government will close the drive-through Covid-19 testing centre at Mitchell Picture: Rohan Thomson/Getty Images

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has announced the closure of Canberra’s drive-through Covid testing centre.

Canberra’s drive through Covid-19 testing site in Mitchell will permanently close at 2pm Friday.

Ms Stephen-Smith said this decision was made because of a “significant decline” in the demand for PCR tests in the nation’s capital.

She said over the past month the rates of PCR testing fell to 400 tests per day.

“This is about 2000 fewer tests per day compared with our peak in winter,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith says the ACT Government made the decision to close the drive through testing site due to a “significant” decrease in demand. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

However the Health Minister stressed PCR testing would still be available for Canberrans, with the Garran Surge Centre in Canberra’s south to become a testing hub offering both rapid antigen tests and PCR testing.

From Saturday, Garran Surge Centre will be open between 10am and 6pm daily.

In Canberra's north, the Holt Covid-19 testing centre run by Capital Pathology will continue to operate daily between 8am to 4pm with the support of the ACT Government.

The Mitchell drive through testing site was opened in 2020 during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Ms Stephen Smith said in most situations RATs would be appropriate, but said ACT Health would “continue to provide PCR testing for those who need it”.

Those prioritised for PCR testing include people at risk of severe Covid-19 illness, people working in high risk settings, people with referrals from their GP, those unable to use a RAT or people with Covid-19 symptoms who have had a negative RAT result.

Concession holders will still be able to get free RATs at Library ACT locations.