Alice Springs’ COVID-19 drive-through testing clinic moves to Todd Facility

ALICE Springs’ dedicated COVID-19 drive-through testing clinic has moved.

• First group of hotspot travellers allowed out of enforced Northern Territory quarantine
• New COVID-19 testing space opens in Alice Springs

UPDATE WEDNESDAY: THIRTY-THREE thousand COVID-19 tests have been administered in the Northern Territory to date, and 60-70 are being undertaken daily in Central Australia.

More than 46,000 have entered the NT since the beginning of border controls.

In Alice Springs, 59 people are currently undertaking mandatory quarantine at the Todd Facility, while around 250 have exited from the facility so far.

The Central Australia Health Service (CAHS) has moved Alice Springs’ dedicated COVID-19 drive-through screening clinic today to the Todd Facility.

It offers testing for people who may be displaying COVID-19 symptoms as well as an additional testing service for people arriving in the NT from interstate.

Chair of the Southern Region Medical and Public Health Group, Dr Samuel Goodwin said the facility changed locations so those involved in operations could “consolidate our resources so we are able to continue for the medium to long term to keep our community safe”.

“The main goal is to keep COVID-19 out of Central Australia.”

Dr Samuel Goodwin and Superintendent Jody Nobbs at the Todd Facility at Alice Springs.

Incident control for the southern region, Superintendent Jody Nobbs, said police had been really pleased with the compliance shown by the majority of the community and travellers.

“We operate a zero tolerance mandate to those who do the wrong thing and there are fairly significant penalties to those who want to compromise the safety of Territorians and people visiting Central Australia,” Supt Nobbs said.

“We’ve been operating in this space since early March and over that time we’ve continued to redefine, consolidate and build our frameworks to make sure we keep Territorians safe.”

He said this included response in urban and remote frameworks, how people enter the Territory and border control points.

“We’ve got really good entry and exit protocols, infection control frameworks, back of house frameworks … to make sure this facility is run as it should be.”

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The clinic, at 34 Stott Terrace, is open seven days a week from 8.30-11am and 2-4.30pm.

It was previously located at Wilkinson St.

Dr Samuel Goodwin and Superintendent Jody Nobbs at the Todd Facility at Alice Springs.

People must present in a private vehicle to be tested and have an appointment.

Children under 12 will not be tested and parents will need to make an appointment with their GP.

The clinic is being co-ordinate by staff members from the Central Australia Health Service, supported by Territory Families and Police.

Testing is also available at the Respiratory clinic and Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, as well as GPs.

Tennant Creek residents can make appointments by calling Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation on 08 8962 2633 or Tennant Creek Hospital.

EARLIER: ALICE Springs’ dedicated COVID-19 drive-through testing clinic will move to the Todd Facility at Stott Terrace tomorrow.

The Central Australia Health Service previously opened the COVID-19 clinic at 17 Wilkinson Street.

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It is unknown at this stage why the facility is being moved.

More to come.

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