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A temporary COVID-19 testing clinic will open at the Port Douglas Community Centre tomorrow after tourism operators voiced their concerns that visitors had to travel out of town to get mandatory tests.
This week, the only testing clinic available has been at Mossman, a 25-minute drive away.
Tourism industry leaders had been pleading with the State Government to make it easier for tourists to get tested, which is required five days after crossing the border if travelling from hotspot.
Michael Nelson from Pinnacle Marketing was among them.
“Estimates that have been provided to Douglas Shire Council and the Hinterland Health Service indicate that approximately 750 people a day will need to be tested to meet the day five PCR test requirement that has been handed down by Queensland Health as part of the border opening from hotspots,” he told Tropic Now.
“After such a prolonged period of negligible visitation, it would seem that we are trying to make things as difficult as possible for our much-valued visitors to the region.
“Surely it makes much more sense to set up a pop-up clinic where the most people will be and that will be in Port Douglas.”
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Today, Queensland Health acted on the concerns, announcing late this afternoon that people can be tested in Port Douglas for the next four days.
Ruth Crimmins, Acting Director of Nursing at Mossman Multi-Purpose Health Service, said a shuttle bus service has also started to take people to Mossman.
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“This is why we have commenced a shuttle service from Port Douglas to our testing clinic at the Mossman Multi-Purpose Health Service,” she said.
“Given current demand for testing, QML are opening up a COVID-19 pop-up testing clinic at the Port Douglas Community Centre on Mowbray Street, Port Douglas between Friday, 17 December through to Monday 20 December, 8am-3pm.
“We will look to extend the operating period of this clinic if there is increased demand for testing in the community after Monday.”
The bus will be provided free-of-charge for people requiring day five testing, and can be arranged by contacting 0423 275 260.
Passengers are required to wear a mask prior to boarding and during travel time to and from the clinic.
Main points
- QML will operate a pop-up testing clinic in Port Douglas from Friday until Monday
- Tourism operators had raised concerns that there were no testing clinics in the tourist town
- People who enter Queensland must have a test five days after arriving
