South Australian regional health officials have called for patience as waiting times balloon out at the overstretched Mount Gambier COVID testing station.
Waiting times at the testing station have climbed to more than four hours for some motorists with reports people are driving away without being tested.
The increased demand is being driven by the new COVID-19 mandatory testing rules and the reopening of the SA border to travellers.
Mount Gambier local Amanda Van acker — who waited in the testing line on Tuesday — said she was frustrated with the long waiting times.
"The situation with COVID testing here in Mount Gambier is growing worse every day — two, three, four hours waiting time just to be turned away and told to come back the next day," Ms Van acker said.
"The line [on Tuesday morning] before 8am was snaking up to the lights onto the highway.
Local business owner Adam McLaren also expressed frustration regarding the long waiting times and the lack of staff.
"My fiancée and I were in Melbourne for the weekend to see family. They changed the testing rules on Saturday so when we got back, we were straight out there, and it took me three and a half hours," Mr McLaren said.
Resources stretched
An SA Pathology spokesperson said increased waiting times were triggered by revamped COVID requirements.
"There has been an increase in presentations for COVID-19 tests at our Mount Gambier Showground testing clinic following recent additional testing requirements for people coming into South Australia from the ACT, NSW or Victoria," the spokesperson said.
"We will continue to monitor the situation, keep the community updated with any changes, and adjust operating hours at our clinics according to demand where possible."
The spokesperson praised people for their patience and encouraged people in the region to keep getting tested.
"Thank you to the community for getting tested and your patience while our hardworking staff work as safely and as quickly as they can to collect samples and organise testing," the spokesperson said.
"We have alternative testing locations available in the South East region, as well as on the way to Adelaide."
'Take a book'
Limestone Coast's Local Health Network executive director of medical services, Elaine Pretorius, said there was significant pressure on staff.
"We are extremely busy not only at the Mount Gambier Showground but also at our other sites," Dr Pretorius said.
"Naracoorte did 105 swabs on one of the weekend days — that is a lot of swabs for our small services, so we are under immense pressure."
Dr Pretorius said testing stations would remain busy under the new restrictions and testing requirements.
"I suspect this will remain at a high level as people move across the border," she said.
Dr Pretorius also encouraged the community to remain patient.
Dr Pretorius said the testing site would be open on Christmas Day.
Locally based politicians Troy Bell and Clare Scriven are calling on the state government to deploy additional resources to Mount Gambier.
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