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Three hour wait, 150 cars at Covid-19 test site

Jessica Dermody
Line of cars at Covid-19 test site on Pages Road
Line of cars for Covid-19 test on Pages Road.   Jessica Dermody

People are asleep in their cars while waiting in line for a Covid-19 test in Christchurch.

About 150 cars were waiting in line at the Covid-19 test site on Pages Rd in Wainoni at 1.30pm on Thursday. 

One woman near the front of the line said she had been waiting for about three and a half hours. 

Another woman, named Elyse, said she had been waiting since 9.45am and was "confused" at the testing process. She said she didn't know if there were any other places to be tested in Christchurch. 

The line stretches around the corner of a busy Pages Rd and down Shortland St, covering five blocks. 

Many people are asleep in their cars while they wait. 

One official can be seen processing through the drivers, writing down details. The only PPE he is wearing is a mask and gloves. 

People turning off Pages Rd to get into line is causing some delay in traffic, as there is confusion as to where the line stops. 

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 Rd, the 24 Hour Surgery off Bealey Ave in the central city, and one in Ashburton.

Line of cars on Shortland Street waiting for Covid-19 test.
Line of cars on Shortland Street waiting for Covid-19 test. Jessica Dermody