The EPIC drive-through testing clinic has closed its gates to new people wanting to get a Covid test due to significant demand.
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ACT health authorities said large numbers of people had turned out for testing on Tuesday afternoon, putting significant pressure on the system.
The large volume of people wanting to be tested prompted ACT Health to urge people to stay home on Tuesday afternoon, rather than go out for testing if they had symptoms.
"We've closed the gates for now to give our staff the chance to test all of those already inside, and hope to be able to make a further announcement later today once we have the capacity to reopen," an ACT Health spokeswoman said.
"The drive through Covid testing clinic at EPIC has once again been inundated this afternoon as hundreds of people turn out to get tested."
Drivers were waiting in the cars for get a test at the EPIC site for almost nine hours due to the demand for testing in the ACT.
It comes as the ACT recorded its largest day for tests carried out, with more than 7300 conducted on Monday, or almost 2 per cent of Canberra.
While EPIC may have closed off to new people for testing, other sites across the ACT have been experiencing significant demand.
"All of the ACT's testing sites are very busy, so we'd recommend staying home for now, rather than joining the long queues," the health spokeswoman said.
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The ACT government has reopened the Kambah drive-through testing clinic after it was closed earlier this year.
However, the Kambah clinic is only being used for high-risk testing at this stage and is not open for the general public.
High demand for testing has been seen at Brindabella Park, Weston Creek, along with a pop-up site at Gold Creek School following a case at the school.
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Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
