Hunter residents faced long wait times for COVID-19 testing again on Friday with a report from one person having to wait seven and a half hours in their car at Maitland.
Rutherford's Casey Wilks said she arrived at the Maitland Showground drive through clinic at 7.30am and the line was "already in a line up back to the traffic lights".
She said she was finally able to leave after being tested about 3pm.
Ms Wilks said she decided to get tested because someone she studies with had attended Charlestown Square, which has been identified as an exposure site.
"And I have a four-year old and an aunty who can get extremely sick if I was positive," she said.
She said having to wait so long for a test was "horrible", especially as it meant being away from her son for the whole day.
"Leaving him for such a long time was not fun," she said.
"They need more workers honestly. It's horrible. Especially for the people who have kids to sit in the car for so long."
The Lorn Surgery set up a pop-up testing clinic at Marcellin Park on Friday, while another drive through clinic is also operating at East Maitland.
Another person, Jess said she turned up at the East Maitland clinic on Thursday and lined up for an hour and a half before being turned away by police "telling us they were at capacity".
"Police had no information to give and their only suggestion was lining up at the showground, which was another massive line which we'd have been starting all over again if we went there, or to simply 'try again in the afternoon'.
She decided to wait until Friday and turned up at the East Maitland clinic at 6.30am before they opened at 7.30am.
"We managed to get tested just before 9am," Jess said. "Staff were lovely and did a wonderful job, especially considering how under the pump they were. My girls have been tested a few times now and my youngest is petrified of the test, but the ladies handled it so well and were quick, calm and friendly."
Port Stephens Hunter police commander Superintendent Chad Gillies said in a video statement on Friday that police and highway patrol were assisting with traffic control in and around the clinics. He urged people to be patient while they waited to be tested.
"My message to all people who are doing the right thing and going and getting tested is please be patient, please be prepared and understand that this will take a little bit of time," Superintendent Gillies said.
"If you come in with that mindset hopefully you'll be better prepared for the delays."
