New drive-through COVID-19 testing site in Moree at capacity on Thursday morning with more to open after positive cases visited area

Moree Shire Council has released a statement advising staff are doing "everything possible" and are working with NSW Health to get more testing kits to Moree as soon as possible.

A NEW COVID-19 testing site which opened in Moree on Thursday has already reached capacity, after venues in town were put on alert that a positive COVID-19 case stopped over in the area.

Locals have been warned the drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Moree Gateway is experiencing a high volume of cars and there is a long delay, according to Moree Plains Shire Council. It opened at 9am on Thursday.

Local reports suggest the line-up could be more than three hours long.

The existing testing clinic at Moree hospital will be open from 8:15am to 6pm on Thursday and will continue those hours during the long weekend.

The Moree Respiratory Clinic on Anne Street is also doing COVID-19 swabs between 9am and 5pm between Monday and Friday.

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Laverty Pathology has set up a pop-up drive-through clinic in the Tourism Moree carpark, which is expected to open on Thursday and Friday between 9am and 3pm.

Locals have been told to seek out a test if they visited an exposure site at the specified times and isolate until further notice.

Anyone who lives or works in the area should be vigilant for even the mildest of symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop.

NSW Health has confirmed two positive COVID-19 cases travelled to Moree while potentially infectious, while on a roadtrip from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

The pair spent time in Moree between June 3 and June 5, including visits to the Gwydir Caravan Park and thermal pools, the Amaroo Tavern, the Omega Cafe and the local Woolworths.

NSW Health also confirmed the COVID-19 cases visited the Goondiwindi McDonald's restaurant between 7.35-7.50am on Saturday.

Moree Plains Shire Council confirmed the following local closures on Thursday:

Council warned these closures are subject to change and updates will continue to come through.

Anyone who attended the following venues in Moree at the times listed must immediately get tested and isolate until further information from NSW Health:

Gwydir Thermal Pools Motel & Caravan Park at 4 Amaroo Drive

Cafe Omega at 145 Balo Street

Amaroo Tavern at Amaroo Drive

Moree Woolworths supermarket on Balo Street

NSW Health said it is continuing to investigate the movements of the case in regional NeSW, and the list of venues and times will be updated.

Residents should monitor the NSW Health website and social media for updates on testing clinics and COVID-19 case locations.

Find detailed information on testing sites here.

A statement from Mayor Katrina Humphries said the announcement that the two people had driven through Moree on their roadtrip from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland was shocking.

"[Wednesday's] announcement of Moree being a possible COVID area has shocked and saddened us all, but as usual we will be totally responsible and get on with getting tested and staying safe and looking after each other," the statement said.

"Everyone, please stay calm, go about your life with caution, and get tested. For those that are potentially close contacts just stay at home and await your results and be super responsible."

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