Sarah Courtney,Minister for Health
The health, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanians is the Tasmanian Liberal Government's number one priority as we rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is why the PW1 testing clinic in Hobart remained in operation over the last two days, in response to an increase in testing rates.
The new clinic on the corner of Argyle and Melville streets is now fully functional with a surge capacity to 500 tests a day.
Should we require further capacity, we have mobile testing clinic solutions able to be deployed when required.
Accordingly, the PW1 testing clinic is now closed.
From Christmas Day we will start a three-week trial of not requiring bookings at any of the testing clinics around the State.
Everyone should remain vigilant for symptoms over the holiday period, isolate themselves if unwell, and go to a testing clinic or speak to their GP to get tested.
We continue to thank Tasmanians for their ongoing vigilance and for continuing to do the right thing and get tested, even with mild symptoms.
There were 748 people tested in Tasmania in the 24 hours to 6pm Tuesday last night. This is an increase from the 562 who were tested the previous day.
Testing will remain available at locations across the State.
The opening hours of the COVID-19 testing clinics will change over the Christmas and New Year's period.
The hours of operations of the COVID-19 testing clinics in Hobart, Launceston, East Devonport and Burnie during this period will be:
1.Friday 25 and Saturday 26 December (all clinics) – 8:30am to 11:30am
2.Sunday 27 to Thursday 31 December (Hobart, Launceston and Burnie) – 8:30am to 3.30pm
3.Sunday 27 to Thursday 31 December (East Devonport) - 7.30am to 2.30pm
4.Friday 1 January (all clinics) – 8:30am to 11:30am
All COVID-19 testing clinics will return to normal hours of operation from Saturday 2 January 2021. These are 8:30am to 3:30pm for Hobart, Launceston and Burnie and 7:30am to 2:30pm for East Devonport.
Operating hours updates will be published on the coronavirus website and the Department of Health Facebook page.
