Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

Port Douglas has been provided with a meagre three-day pop-up Covid-19 testing clinic from December 17-20 in what has been described as ‘hard to fathom’ by Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr.

In a statement to Newsport, Ruth Crimmins, Acting Director of Nursing, Mossman Multi-Purpose Health Service, said, “given current demand for testing, QML are opening up a COVID-19 pop-up testing clinic at the Port Douglas Community Centre on Mowbray Street from Friday, 17 December through to Monday 20 December, 8:00am-3:00pm. No bookings are required.

“We will look to extend the operating period of this clinic, if there is increased demand for testing in the community after Monday.”

But a frustrated Kerr said he did not understand the mentality of this decision.

“If there are visitors who have just arrived in Queensland and Port Douglas, for example, they are required to be tested five days after their arrival. The three days being offered therefore makes no sense,” said Kerr.

Coupled to this, the borders only open tomorrow (17 December) and visitors to Port Douglas will not benefit from this pop-up clinic.

The statement added that the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service continually monitors COVID-19 testing trends and based on this activity, makes decisions where testing facilities are required.

“During periods of peak demand for COVID-19 testing, we have stood up pop-up testing clinics in Port Douglas in conjunction with our private pathology partners; and our own mobile testing units.”

Petition

There have been numerous calls over the past few weeks for a testing site in the town, including a petition launched by the community group Protect our Paradise.

Titled ‘Help Prevent COVID Testing Crisis for Port Douglas’, the petition called for voting ‘Yes for Covid testing in Port Douglas and support the survival of local tourism’.

The petition has attracted in excess of 300 respondents after only 24 hours.

Free return shuttle service

There is now the option to travel with Adrenalin Shuttle Service who are offering a free return transfer from Port Douglas to Mossman Hospital for Covid-19 testing starting on December 17.

Mossman Hospital still remains the only on-going location available for testing.

However, Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the shuttle service is not ideal.

“What if you’re a family of four and someone else in the shuttle tests positive, everyone in the bus will be required to go into quarantine and be re-tested at various times. This puts paid to the affected people’s holiday not to mention the cost involved,” he said.

If you are considering using the shuttle service, Cairns Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS), want you to be aware of the following:  

Mossman COVID-19 Clinic Swab Test instruction

The following applies to each person requiring a test on day five of a visit to our region.

Step 1

Please prepare responses to the following questions before calling for pre-test registration:

a) Car registration number (if self-driving)
b) Full name as stated on Medicare Card (as applicable)
c) Date of Birth
d) Male / Female / Non-Binary
e) Residential Address
f) Medicare Card Number / Reference No. / Validity date
g) Call (07) 4084 1794

Step 2

If you have no means of self-transport to the Mossman testing service, please call Adrenalin Shuttle Service on 0423 275 260 to arrange your free return transfer.

This service starts on December 17, and pick-up times will be provided when you call Adrenalin and the service will be available indefinitely and until further notice.

Please note:

a) You are required to wear a mask prior to boarding the shuttle and during travel time to and from the clinic.
b) Pre-registration does not mean priority testing and is based on a queued system only.
c) Mossman Hospital will be closed for vaccinations from 21 December to January 5, but will remain open for Covid-19 testing.
d) Opening hours Monday to Sunday 8:30am to 4:00pm and OPEN public holidays.
e) Regardless of whether you have travelled from interstate or overseas, anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is urged to get tested immediately and isolate until they receive their results.