ACT Health may consider pop-up testing sites as Canberra struggles to keep up with demand.
"We are constantly reviewing capacity across the testing network and will consider additional sites if required," a spokesperson said.
"Pop-up testing sites may also be used to bolster testing capacity during periods of high demand."
ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said COVID-19 testing numbers are currently "higher than during the peak of the outbreak" in a press conference on Tuesday.
"The number of people who are travelling and needing to go get a negative PCR test ... is placing stress on testing capacity."
ACT Health said the Mitchell testing site reached capacity on Tuesday.
"Today, at times, our Mitchell site reached the maximum number of cars it is able to have on site" a spokesperson said.
On Tuesday morning people were queuing up before the testing site in Mitchell opened, resulting in long wait times as soon as the site started operation.
Ms Stephen-Smith encouraged people to "think about [getting tested] in the middle of the day" because ACT Health was experiencing "busy mornings, quieter afternoons and then busy again in the evening".
She said the ACT government was "determining whether we have the need or capacity to stand up more sites"
Almost 6000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the ACT on Monday, with long wait times in the lead-up to Christmas.
On Facebook, ACT Health said this level of demand for testing hadn't been seen since August.
Tuesday's surge in testing came after testing sites at Garran and Mitchell reached capacity and closed at 8.25pm Monday night.
ACT Health has encouraged people to visit clinics in Garran and Nicholls, or Capitol Pathology in Holt due to the shorter wait time.
Wait times as of 5pm Tuesday:
- Garran (open 7:30am-9pm): 2hrs+
- Mitchell drive-through testing clinic (8am to 10pm): 2hrs+
- Kambah drive-through testing clinic (open 8am to 6pm*): 1 hour 30 minutes+
- Nicholls testing clinic (open 8am to 6pm*): 1 hour 20 minutes+
ACT Health has advised people getting a COVID-19 test to:
- check our network of testing clinics and attend the site with the lowest wait times. These are updated on our website hourly: www.covid19.act.gov.au/testing-times
- check that the jurisdiction you're travelling to definitely requires that you get a test for travel purposes. For example, travel to NSW and Victoria does not require a COVID-19 test.
- attend our testing sites when they're likely to be quieter, like the middle of the day. We are finding peak wait times are occurring in the early morning, late afternoon and evening.
- know that you may have to wait for a while. Bring plenty of water, snacks and be sun safe.
- be kind, respectful and courteous to staff at the testing clinics who are here to help you.
You can find the full list of where you can get a COVID-19 test in the ACT at covid19.act.gov.au/testing-locations
A new drive-through testing clinic opened on Tooth Street, Mitchell, on Saturday morning, following the closure of the Exhibition Park clinic on Friday after 21 months of use.
Meanwhile, business lobby groups and health experts are calling for rapid COVID-19 tests to urgently be made free, as fears grow virus numbers may explode during the holiday period.
Extra COVID-19 testing sites will be considered throughout the week after a rise in demand following major interstate outbreaks and nearing travel plans.
