The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District will re-open the Albion Park Showground COVID-19 testing clinic on Thursday. The Southern IML clinic will be open from 8am to 4pm seven days a week.
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The clinic is being reopened in response to changes to the NSW Government's new Public Health order around worker surveillance testing, as well as increased testing rates across the region in recent days.
Entry to the clinic will be via Tongarra Rd, next to the Rural Fire Service building.
Under the new rules around worker surveillance testing, workers from across Greater Sydney who work at locations more than 50km from the outer boundary of the Shellharbour, Wollongong, Wollondilly, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Central Coast LGAs must now be tested for COVID-19 every seven days, even if they do not have symptoms.
Workers have until 18 July to be tested. From 19 July, a worker must be tested every seven days to continue working more than 50 kilometres outside of Greater Sydney.
The NSW Health spokesperson said it was important to remember, this surveillance testing program does not replace the usual screening, testing and isolation for people who have symptoms or have visited a venue/area of concern.
They said surveillance testing adds another layer of defence against the spread of COVID and is an addition to existing testing protocols. People needing a test for any reason, including worker requirements, are reminded that there are numerous other clinics in the region, many of which are drive-throughs, such as the Port Kembla Pool testing clinic, which opened last week.
Up-to-date list visit of every clinic in the region is available at the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District website.
The spokesperson said high testing numbers are vital in detecting cases of COVID-19 in order to prevent further transmission, and to keep friends and families safe.
"We continue to urge anyone with even the mildest of symptoms to be tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is received. If symptoms appear again, be tested and isolate again."
"Please check the NSW Government website regularly and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19.
"This list is being updated regularly as case investigations proceed. The community is also urged to stay up to date by following the District's Facebook page or the NSW Health Facebook page for important updates."