28 October 2022
The ACT Government’s Mitchell COVID-19 drive-through testing centre will permanently close at 2pm today, Friday 28 October.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said this change has been made due to the reduced demand for testing across the ACT as Canberrans adjust to living with COVID-19 in the community.
'There has been a significant decline in the demand for PCR testing over the past month with numbers falling to an average of around 400 tests per day across the ACT,' Minister Stephen-Smith said.
'This is about 2,000 fewer tests per day compared with our peak in winter.
'This drop in demand allows us to consolidate and adapt our COVID-19 testing services across other existing sites.
'COVID-19 testing is still readily accessible across the ACT with both Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and PCR testing still available.
'In most cases a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) will be appropriate, but we will continue to provide PCR testing for those who need it.'
From tomorrow (Saturday 29 October) the Garran Surge Centre will operate from 10am to 6pm daily as a combined PCR testing and Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) distribution hub.
On Canberra’s north side, the Holt COVID-19 testing centre operated by Capital Pathology will continue as a Government supported testing centre operating daily from 8am to 4pm.
In addition, free RATs will continue to be available for concession card holders at Libraries ACT locations.
COVID-19 testing is also available at YourGP@Crace and Ochre Medical Centre Lakeview (bookings only) and Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services for First Nations people and existing clients of Winnunga.
PCR testing will be prioritised for people who:
- are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness
- work in high-risk settings or work providing in-home aged care or disability care
- have a referral form from their GP or other clinician
- are unable to use a RAT, or
- have had a negative RAT and are still symptomatic.
'I’d like to thank all the staff at Mitchell Testing Centre for the key role they have played in keeping our community safe during the pandemic, and to all the Canberrans who got tested,' Minister Stephen-Smith said.
