Strathalbyn residents now have access to a drive through COVID-19 testing clinic after reports of up to 200 people waiting at one time at the closest testing facility at Mount Barker.

Clinpath opened the town’s first testing facility at 7am this morning  at the Show Hall at the Oval on Ashbourne Road.

The site will be open from 7am to 5pm everyday ‘for as long as needed’.

Drivers can enter via the Ashbourne Road gate and follow the road behind the football clubrooms to the hall. 

After being tested they will be directed to exit via the Coronation Road gate.

Clinpath is asking people attending the clinic to bring their Medicare card and follow instructions and SA Health directives.

The capacity of COVID-19 testing facilities in the state have been increased considerably since beginning of the current lockdown.

Member for Mayo, Rebehka Sharkie, said last week that she had sent urgent correspondence to Health Minister Steven Wade asking him to upgrade the Mount Barker facility so residents would not be exposed to the weather while queuing for tests.

Some Fleurieu and hills residents elected to travel to the drive-through testing facility at Tailem Bend to enable them to shelter in their cars while waiting but still faced lengthy waits of up to 12 hours.