The Canterbury District Health Board has set up four testing stations across the region.
The testing stations are on Orchard Rd near the airport, the Whānau Ora Community Clinic on Pages Road, 28 Elizabeth Street in Ashburton, and the 24hr surgery in Central Christchurch.
The community clinic pop-up on Pages Rd has reported significant delays.
At 10am the queue of about 130 cars was described as moving slowly.
A Christchurch hospital staff member reported they waited in the queue for close to two hours.
Vehicle service agent, Robert Glennie, 39, said he had waited four hours in the queue.
"It is extremely slow and I think Ministry of Health should have anticipated the response better," Glennie said.
The CDHB website said people should expect delays, due to the high demand.
The testing stations are currently only testing people who are displaying symptoms.
More information about testing can be found online.