Massive queues form outside drive-thru coronavirus testing centres in Melbourne as surge in cases sparks panic
- Huge traffic queues have formed at coronavirus testing centres in Melbourne
- A centre in Melbourne’s north is said to be turning people away due to demand
- Victoria reported 116 cases last week and was forced to re-introduce restrictions
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Medical staff are being forced to turn people away from coronavirus testing centres in Melbourne as traffic queues spill out onto surrounding streets after a recent surge in cases.
Drivers were seen on Monday morning packed bumper-to-bumper in the pouring rain as they tried to turn into Westfield Southland, in Melbourne’s south-east.
Once inside, drivers slowly made their way up to top floor of the shopping centre parking lot where medical staff tested each person for the disease.
Massive queues have formed for coronavirus testing centres across Melbourne after the state experienced a recent surge in cases. Pictured is Southland shopping centre
An attendant was seen out the front waving a sign asking people to slow down, according to 7 News.
Cars were also seen lining up at Northland shopping centre, in Melbourne’s north.
Staff are said to be turning people away from testing sites as they struggle to keep up with demand, according to 3AW.
‘I just showed up at Northland for Covid testing and I go turned away,’ a woman named Lena said.
Lena, who claimed to have coronavirus symptoms, said she was told wait times were estimated at three hours and she could either wait or go to another centre.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services for comment.
Staff are even said to be turning people away from testing sites as they struggle to keep up with demand
Lines of people were also seen outside of Northland shopping centre where people were told they had to wait for three hours or leave due to huge demand
It comes as Victoria reinstates strict restrictions after 116 cases were reported in the state last week, making up 83 per cent of all new infections.
Of those, 87 cases were from community transmission.
Australia’s chief health authority, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), issued a statement on Sunday asking people to stay home as much as possible until the spike was controlled.
It warned Australians to stay away from the Melbourne council areas of Hume, Casey and Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin.
Australians have been warned to stay away from six council in Melbourne: Hume, Casey and Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was forced to reimpose tough restrictions within his state after 25 new cases were recorded on Saturday.
‘Don’t visit friends and family. Don’t go on holiday. Don’t go to work. Stay home,’ the premier said.
Victoria’s State of Emergency has been extended until 11.59pm on July 19.
From midnight on Sunday to July 12, Victorians will only be able to have five people at their homes while outdoor gatherings have been reduced from 20 down to 10.
A healthcare worker tests for coronavirus at a drive-through coronavirus test station at Keilor. Eleven people across nine households have been infected at Keilor Downs, Melbourne
Cafes, restaurants and pubs were to be allowed up to 50 patrons from Monday, but that will now have to remain at 20 until July 12.
The 20-person limit is the rule for real estate auctions, open houses and community areas will also continue to be limited to just 20 people.
Religious gatherings cannot be larger than 20 people plus those in charge of the ceremony.
Gyms are set to open and community sport to begin again, giving some relief, but indoor sports will again have limits of 20 people at a time, and 10 people per activity.