NSW records 20,794 new COVID-19 cases, private pathology company closes dozens of testing sites across Sydney

By Paige Cockburn

Posted Mon 3 Jan 2022 at 8:09amMonday 3 Jan 2022 at 8:09am, updated Yesterday at 5:08am

here are concerns that queues for COVID-19 tests in parts of Sydney are set to get even longer after one of the country's biggest pathology companies announced it was shutting dozens of testing sites until further notice.

Key points:

• Australian Clinical Labs announced it was closing 28 of its 29 testing sites effective immediately
• The collection centres will be closed until further notice
• No explanation was given for the sudden closures

Australian Clinical Labs has been operating 29 drive-through and walk-in testing sites in locations right across Sydney.

On Monday, it announced on its website that many of its sites would temporarily close due to overwhelming demand.

"These closures have been necessary due to the significant increase in testing volumes across the state," the company said.

Some sites in Parramatta, Castle Hill, Charlestown will reopen on Tuesday but most will remain shut for an unknown period of time.

The closed sites include drive-through testing centres at Clarendon, Dural, Emerald Hills, Granville, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Kingswood, Liverpool, Marsden Park, Minto, Parklea, Penrith, Sydney Olympic Park, Warriewood, Windsor and Winmalee.

The walk-in sites affected are in Ashfield, Blacktown, Campsie, Fairfield, Frenchs Forest, Harris Park, Manly, Narrabri and Windale.

The ABC has contacted Australian Clinical Labs and NSW Health for comment.

It's understood there are no plans by NSW Health to open additional sites to meet the demand for testing in those areas.