Bendigo Health COVID-19 drive through testing clinic closed as it reaches capacity

People unable to use the drive through testing clinic have been directed to a walk-in clinic on Stewart Street.

Demand for testing has been high after several COVID-19 clusters in central Victoria, including at Don KR Castlemaine, and St Joseph's Primary School.

A Bendigo Health spokesperson said the clinic closed after it reached full capacity for the day, to make sure traffic was managed appropriately.

Read more:

Lines were stretching back several blocks towards Bancrof Street at lunch-time.

Later in the afternoon, cars were still pulling up at the back of the line despite signs notifying people that the drive-through was at capacity.

Health workers could be seen approaching cars at the back of the line to tell drivers how to reach the walk-in clinic, at about 3.15pm

Drive-through testing was closed by about 3.30pm on Friday too, with people only testing those who were already in line.

People were still able to go to the walk in clinic on that day too. Many were able to walk in without waiting in long lines out the front of the building.

We have removed our paywall from this story about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists, subscribe here.