Drivers caught out by Covid queues

Drivers forced to wait several hours at Covid testing locations are finding themselves dealing with another unwelcome problem, new figures show.

Roadside assistance crews are jump-starting hundreds of drivers caught with car trouble in coronavirus testing queues.

Motoring clubs have reported an increase in call-outs to people waiting for coronavirus tests as drivers run out of fuel or drain their battery.

Cars queue for Covid-19 tests at Darebin Arts Centre on Boxing Day in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Drivers have reported wait times stretching for hours at drive-through Covid-19 test locations.

Some motorists have run out of fuel while keeping their car running, or run batteries flat while listening to the radio with the engine turned off.

Victoria’s RACV reports that flat battery call outs in December 2021 were up by 30 per cent compared to the previous year, and 28.5 per cent on December 2019.

NSW clinics are testing more than 100,000 people per day. Picture: Damian Shaw

The NRMA in NSW fixed more than 70 breakdowns “specific to people in line” for Covid testing in December. A spokesman for the service said many more call outs in the same period “were en route or returning” from a test.

Lauren Ritchie, a spokeswoman for Queensland’s RACQ, said there were fewer total call outs for flat batteries in December 2021 compared to the two previous years.

Members of the public queue in their cars for Covid-19 PCR tests at a clinic at North Ryde in Sydney, Wednesday, December 29, 2021. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“While we didn’t see a surge in call-outs for flat batteries last month, our patrols have been called to help some drivers who have broken down in COVID-19 testing queues,” she said.

“There’s a few things you can do to prevent a flat battery while waiting for your test. If the queue is moving quickly, you should leave your car running.

Cars queue at the Bondi Beach drive through Covid-19 testing site. Picture: Damian Shaw

 “If the queue isn’t moving then turn your car off but don’t leave your radio or other accessories on, as this will drain your battery.”

A spokeswoman for South Australia’s RAA said there had “absolutely” been an increase in call-outs to Covid queues, and that “we have been attending our testing lines to fill up petrol tanks”.

Originally published as Drivers caught out by Covid queues