Staff writers
A new drive-through COVID testing site will open in Traralgon on Monday, November 15.
Operating at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve, Whittakers Road, the dual lane drivethrough site will feature a 15 x 30 metre marquee that will be open from 8am – 3.30pm
Sunday to Friday with capacity for priority testing.
This new site is a joint initiative of the Victorian Department of Health and the Gippsland
Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU), with support from Latrobe City Council.
The Department will begin to prepare the site this week and will provide the required
testing staff for two weeks before the site is then managed by the GRPHU. The site is
expected to be open for eight weeks.
According to GRPHU operations manager, Annelies Titulaer, the upscaled site responds to
the current COVID-19 climate in Latrobe City and will accommodate the increased demand
for testing.
“This new site means our community has more testing options,” she said. “The testing site
helps us to better understand and minimise the spread of COVID-19.”
Latrobe City Council chief executive officer Steve Piasente, acknowledged the co-operation from the various user groups onsite.
“We understand that community sporting groups are keen to return to the field and courts,
that is why we have worked to ensure there is no impact to training and match day access
for sporting groups at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve,” he explained.
“A particular shout out to TEDAS who are allowing access to their club rooms to support
staff amenities for the testers.”
Traffic will enter via Howitt Street and although this is a large testing site with increased
capacity, everyone attending is asked to be prepared by wearing a mask and bringing
refreshments in case there are delays.
“Now is the time for everyone with even the mildest of symptoms to come forward and get
tested,” Mrs Titulaer said.
“Please also encourage any family and friends who are experiencing symptoms to get
tested. This is what we all need to do to keep ourselves, our family and our community
safe.”
You must also get a COVID test if you are identified as a primary close contact or have visited a Tier 1 public exposure site during the specified times.
