A new 24/7 Covid testing site for truckies has opened in Marulan today with a further pop-up NSW location scheduled to follow in Buchanan on Monday, September 6.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the two new sites at Marulan on the Hume Highway and Buchanan on the Hunter Expressway would make it easier for truckies and other freight workers to get tested and help them keep essential supplies moving across NSW and interstate.
“It’s been 12 months since we opened the first freight testing sites at Tarcutta and Narrandera, and we are continuing to see significant demand across the eight sites already open,” Toole said.
“So far, more than 51,000 tests have been carried out across all our testing sites – remarkably, more than half of those in the last four weeks alone.
“These testing sites have proven invaluable in helping the freight industry meet the challenges the Delta strain has presented by providing a simple and easy option for drivers to meet the testing requirements across multiple jurisdictions.”
Toole said he’s expecting this demand for testing sites to only continue.
He said there has been a 4900 per cent increase in testing numbers at Taree and a 1750 per cent increase at Tarcutta since June this year.
The Marulan site opened from 7am at the BP Service Centre, southbound, on the Hume Highway. The Buchanan site will open on September 6 at the heavy vehicle rest area, westbound, on the Hunter Expressway. Both sites will be 24/7 pathology assisted.
Meanwhile, the Wetherill Park freight-friendly testing site will close permanently on Friday, September 3 at 4pm due to the end of TFNSW’s lease agreement with the landowner.
A media statement said the NSW Government is continuing to work closely with the freight industry to investigate more options for testing sites across the state.
To find out more, visit the online map of freight-friendly testing locations in NSW.
NSW freight testing locations:
- Marulan BP Service Centre, southbound, Hume Highway.
Assisted testing by pathology staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Opening on Monday, September 6 at 7am at Buchanan heavy vehicle rest area, westbound, Hunter Expressway.
Assisted testing by pathology staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Ballina BP Travel Centre, 41 Bruxner Highway, off the Pacific Highway
Assisted testing by pathology staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Yass Ampol Service Centre, 1715 Yass Valley Way, off the Hume Highway
Assisted testing by pathology staff 24hours a day, 7 days a week
- 250 Victoria Street, Wetherill Park Sydney. From Friday 3 September, this testing site will close permanently.
Assisted testing by pathology staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Taree Service Centre, Pacific Highway
Assisted testing by pathology staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Narrabarba rest area, Princes Highway. From Wednesday September 1, the existing northbound site at Narrabara rest area on the Princes Highway will be moved to the southbound rest area to better support freight workers travelling to Victoria.
Telehealth is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Forbes Caltex Service Centre, Newell Highway
Assisted testing on weekdays, with telehealth in place at night and on weekends.
- Narrandera Roadhouse, Newell Highway
Assisted testing by pathology staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Tarcutta truck change-over yard, Sydney Street, off Hume Highway
Assisted testing by pathology staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.