Pop-up COVID-19 testing site opens in Winchelsea

WINCHELSEA’S Globe Theatre has been used for children’s dance classes, movies and old time dancing before the pandemic.

This week, it’s being put to a different use – as a testing station for COVID-19.

“A hinterland option is important to protect rural communities and to help authorities understand how the virus is spreading,” Barwon Health chief executive officer Frances Diver said. “Increased testing helps decision-makers plan how to ease restrictions in a way that protects our health system and keeps communities safe.”

People showing symptoms, however mild, can be tested indoors for free at the Globe Theatre between 9am and 3.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the next couple of weeks. A dedicated phone line is available for bookings on 0435 007 708 (open during testing hours).

The Winchelsea testing option joins other Surf Coast Shire drive-through testing sites at Lorne Community Hospital (open 9am-4pm seven days a week by appointment only, phone 5289 4300) and Torquay Community Health Centre (open 9am-5.30pm seven days a week, by appointment only, phone 4215 7815), and others in the wider region, such as Barwon Health in Geelong and Colac Hospital.

The new Winchelsea pop-up testing site has opened because Surf Coast Shire has been identified as one of the local government areas with low testing rates.

It’s part of a testing blitz by the Department of Health and Human Services, working alongside Surf Coast Shire council, Barwon Health, and Lorne Community Hospital.

The campaign is expected to run for two weeks and is open mainly to shire residents but also school holiday visitors.

“The test is free for everyone at these locations and takes around a minute to perform, then you’ll need to go directly home to self-isolate until results are back to you,” Great Ocean Road Health chief executive officer Sandy Chamberlin said.

For more advice or to find out where to be tested, phone the 24-hour coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398, find out more (including a testing sites map) at dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19 or phone your local GP.