ACT Health has asked Canberrans to delay getting Covid-19 tests until Tuesday or later in the week.
People are waiting for hours to get tested at the Exhibition Park drive through clinic and Weston Creek walk-in centre. Cars are lined up on the EPIC showground.
"For those who are not required to test immediately, it may be better to continue to self-isolate and wait until tomorrow or later in the week to attend a testing clinic," said an ACT Health spokesperson.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced masks would be mandatory indoors from Sunday midnight and NSW was bracing for more COVID-19 cases as more exposure sites were added to a growing list over the weekend.
The state recorded 18 new locally acquired virus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday.
ACT Health has asked people to be patient with staff.
"[We] are experiencing very high demand as a result of the changing situation across the nation," they said.
"Please treat our staff and each other with kindness and respect as we get through this together."
They also advised there would be less demand later in the day, and recommended people bring water, wear a mask and leave pets at home when going to a testing centre.
