A walk-in COVID-19 testing centre is opening today at the Victoria Street Car Park (enter off Kitchener Street). Demand for testing in the area increased after a number of city centre locations were identified as locations of interest in the Auckland outbreak, including universities, restaurants, and bars.
The walk-in testing centre opens at 10.30am on Tuesday 24 August and closes at 4pm. From Wednesday August 25 to Tuesday August 31, the centre will be open for longer hours from 9am to 4pm.
This comes following calls by the Auckland City Centre Residents Group to the Northern Regional Health Coordination Centre (NRHCC) and Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) for a testing centre in the CBD.
Prior to the opening of the site, Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick stated that the nearest testing station was almost five kilometres away from the Sky Tower. “30% of Auckland Central residents don’t have a car, and as we’re host to many locations of interest, it’s silly to require people to leave the neighbourhood”.
Swarbrick urges those needing a test to remain patient and kind with healthcare staff, and to practice safety measures on-site. “Please only get your test if you have been a contact, visited a location of interest or are symptomatic. Please bring your mask, NHI number (if you know it) and practice distancing.”
More details about getting tested can be found on the Auckland Regional Public Health website.
