Long queues as islanders line up for tests

Saturday, July 17, 2021

The queue at the Cowes Drive Through site started before the sun rose this morning.

By 7am the line of cars stretched for several blocks, as vehicles queued along Chapel Street waiting to enter the testing site at the Transit Centre.

A large new tent had been erected so four testing sites could run simultaneously.

But it was quickly clear the demand far outstripped the resources.

By 10am, Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child confirmed an additional three teams were on the way to Cowes, to assist the four teams already in place.

Ms Child said the teams were coming from Sale, Foster and Warragul to bolster local resources, as Bass Coast Health grappled with staffing levels.

She spent the morning walking from car to car in the queue, explaining the delay.

One resident who had arrived before 6.30am said around 8.30am Ms Child spoke to him through the car window.

“She apologised for the long wait, as they lost a lot of staff due to the exposure sites around the island,” he said.

“She is making her way down the line of cars.”

Another resident was impressed by the CEO’s appearance.

“Good to see Jan Child personally fronting the long line of cars waiting (I have been here for three hours already) to get tested and explain the delay,” he told the Advertiser around 9.45am.

“She could easily be sitting in an office or sending a staffer out to speak to those waiting.”

However, the long wait caused tempers to fray.

There were reports of heated exchanges between drivers, with accusations of some trying to jump the queue.

“There’s a fair bit of angst between drivers,” said one person.

Ms Child acknowledged the long wait was frustrating.

“In the main, people have been fantastic, although there have been a couple who have been impatient and disrespectful.”

She said abuse or disrespectful behaviour towards the staff “who are working incredibly long hours”, would not be tolerated.

San Remo site

The new testing site at the San Remo Rec Centre opened at 9am.

By 8.30am, the queue was already back to the corner of Marine Parade and Wynne Road.

Soon it stretched along Marine Parade.

The decision was quickly made to bolster the team numbers.

Ms Child said originally there were two teams allocated to San Remo, but that was raised to five to try and help process the waiting cars.

Some islanders headed for Wonthaggi and by 7am there were long queues at the Wonthaggi Drive Through as well.

Additional teams have also been rostered on there.

Work is currently underway to secure the resources and staff needed to expand the testing capacity over the coming days.

Any update to testing days or times will be publicised via Bass Coast Health’s Facebook page and all media outlets.