![LINED UP: The queue to get a COVID test at Wodonga's drive-through clinic at Gateway Lakes snaked back hundreds of metres this week. Picture: MARK JESSER LINED UP: The queue to get a COVID test at Wodonga's drive-through clinic at Gateway Lakes snaked back hundreds of metres this week. Picture: MARK JESSER](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/beau.greenway/209e6946-05d1-4c9f-8a95-af77aae2fb9f.jpg/r0_0_4956_3304_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Wodonga's COVID test site at Gateway Lakes had a reprieve yesterday after a frantic 48 hours.
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Albury Wodonga Health's drive-through clinic had experienced high demand over the festive season and was forced to close before midday on Monday and prior to 10am on Boxing Day when capacity was reached.
Apart from an early morning rush, delays never exceeded more than two hours according to public health director Lucie Shanahan.
"Most of those wishing to be tested are travellers who are required to receive a negative PCR test result before arriving in Queensland," she said.
"Testing staff rostered on during the holiday period have done a terrific job of processing lines quickly and efficiently and we thank them for their outstanding efforts.
"We have taken a collaborative cross-border approach with other testing clinics in our region to divert people to other clinics with lower demand.
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"With extreme temperatures forecast for later this week, we would like to remind people to arrive early to be tested as, due to staff safety, we may need to close our clinics early."
Ms Shanahan also reminded travellers they do not have to be tested in the state they reside.
"For instance, if they are travelling to Queensland but are from Victoria, they can be tested in NSW along the way," she said.
"Planning ahead is always a good idea, particularly if you need the result for medical or travel reasons.
"At the moment, test results in Victoria are coming back within 24 to 48 hours."
Albury Wodonga Health recommended anyone required to be tested register online at testtracker.covid19.dhhs.vic.gov.au/citizen-prefill to allow staff to quickly process people in line.
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