Truckies now have another dedicated Covid-19 testing site in NSW with the Blackbutt Rest Area, northbound on the Newell Highway near Dubbo opening today.
In her latest freight industry update, Susie Harwood, executive director freight, Transport for NSW (TfNSW), says the facility will be open seven days a week, 6am-9pm, assisted by pathology staff, with telehealth after hours.
“Due to increased movement in and out of the rest area the current 80km/h speed zone on the Newell Highway will be extended past the rest area to improve safety,” said Harwood.
TfNSW is planning to open a further testing site in Raglan at Raglan BP Service centre, 39 Sydney Road (Great Western Highway) in the coming weeks.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said more than 70,000 tests have been carried out across all state testing sites since the first one at Tarcutta opened more than 12 months ago.
“In the last two months alone, we’ve seen a 228 per cent increase in the number of tests carried out at these sites,” Toole said.
“These testing sites have proven invaluable in helping the freight industry meet the challenges of the Delta strain – and make it easier for truckies and other freight workers to get tested and keep essential supplies moving across NSW and interstate.”
For more details on the locations of the freight-friendly sites in NSW, click on the map icons below.