A LONG line of cars has packed the Plain Street car park in Tamworth on Monday morning, as locals started queuing for a COVID-19 test.
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A recent outbreak in Sydney's north seems to have sparked a surge in residents seeking out a virus swab in the city, which has been free of any known coronavirus cases for more than nine months.
The Leader understands more than a dozen cars had already lined up ready to go when the drive-through screening service opened just after 7:30am on Monday.
Arrivals continued to join the queue in their cars throughout the morning.
Although travel restrictions are in place for Northern Beaches suburbs where the virus is spreading, travel between Sydney and the regions is still allowed.
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Health authorities have urged anyone with any cold or flu symptoms - regardless of how mild - to get tested immediately and isolate until a result is returned.
That includes a scratchy or sore throat, fever, sniffle and headaches.
The Tamworth region has been free of any confirmed COVID-19 cases for more than nine months, but health authorities have previously warned the biggest risk to the local community is the re-introduction of the virus from a traveller.
The COVID-19 cluster in Sydney has grown to 83, after the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced 15 new cases of community transmission in Monday's update.
Those 15 were all linked to the Northern Beaches cluster.
A record 38,578 tests were taken in the past 24 hours across the state.
Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have closed their borders to Sydney and Central Coast residents. Restrictions are in place in the ACT and the Northern Territory.
Ms Berejiklian has encouraged people across the state to wear a mask when they are in an enclosed area such as supermarkets, shopping centres and places of worship.
Where to get a COVID-19 test in the Tamworth region:
Laverty Pathology Tamworth drive through clinic
- Located at the Plain Street car park near Minor League Park
- No appointment or referral required
- Opening hours for Christmas holidays: 7:30am to 3:15pm from December 21 to December 24; closed Christmas Day to December 28; 7:30am to 3:15pm December 29 to December 31; closed New Years Day to January 3, 2021
Tamworth Respiratory Clinic
- Located on Goonoo Goonoo Road
- Appointment required
- Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 9am to 5pm; Thursday and Friday 8:30am to 5pm; Saturday 8:30am to 12:30pm; closed Sunday (may vary over Christmas)
Douglass Hanley Moir Pathology Tamworth
- Located in Peel Street
- Appointment required, GP referral required
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm; Saturday 8:30am to 10:30am; Sunday closed (may vary over Christmas)
Tamworth hospital clinic
- Appointment required
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 12pm
- Closed from Christmas Day to February 1, 2021
Quirindi testing clinic
- Located Nowland Street
- Appointment required
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 3:30pm
- Closed from December 24 to January 2
Gunnedah hospital clinic
- Appointment required
- Open Monday to Friday 12pm to 2pm (may vary over Christmas)
Laverty Pathology Gunnedah drive through clinic
- Located Marquis Street
- No appointment or referral required
- Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 3:30pm (may vary over Christmas)
Full list of testing clinics available online at the NSW Health website.
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Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
