New South Wales Health has confirmed The University of Newcastle’s testing clinic will be closed to the public today.
The clinic will be testing 800 University students impacted by the COVID-19 exposure in the campus student accommodation.
The site will re-open to the public tomorrow, August 11.
Meanwhile, Lake Macquarie Council has set up a new drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Speers Point Park.
The site, operated by a private contractor already managing testing at Warners Bay, is expected to open by Wednesday.
The drive-through testing site will operate from the western car park of Speers Point Park, near the boat ramp off Creek Reserve Road, from 8am-4pm, Monday to Saturday.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser says the priority is to stop the spread of the virus in the community.
“We’ve had reports of extended wait times at testing sites throughout the Hunter Region over the weekend.
We don’t want this to be a barrier for people to get tested, and for this reason we have worked as quickly as possible with NSW Health, NSW Police and Transport for NSW to find a viable new testing location.”
Traffic management will be in place to help maintain traffic flow in the area.
The new site means Speers Point boat ramp will be closed until further notice.
Council is continuing to work with NSW Health to investigate other potential testing sites across the city.
Anyone with symptoms is urged to immediately get tested, self-isolate and follow NSW Heath directions.
