Tamworth Regional Council change drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic entry to Carter Street due to heavy traffic

Cars have to queue by entering Carter Street, off Bridge Street, and heading towards the Plain Street carpark, a spokesperson from Tamworth Regional Council confirmed.

Plain Street itself will be used as an exit point only, and people leaving can turn onto Ebsworth Street.

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The changes come after hundreds of people flocked to the site to get a COVID-19 swab during the past few days, causing high traffic volumes to clog local roads.

The spike in testing comes as the Sydney coronavirus outbreak continues to grow.

Council confirmed the Carter Street and Plain Street access would reopen to the public at 3pm each afternoon for sport.

Staff will monitor traffic conditions daily and make changes where appropriate, the spokesperson said.

More than 1700 coronavirus tests were taken in Tamworth during the week ending Sunday, with more expected in the coming days as the virus crisis unfolds.

Locals told the Leader they had waited in the testing queue for more than three hours on Monday morning.

The drive-through is run by Laverty Pathology every weekday and on Saturdays, and does not require a booking or a referral.

Tamworth Respiratory Clinic is also open for people wanting to get tested.

More information on testing requirements and clinic locations is on the NSW Health website.

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