COVID-19 Testing Clinics

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:11): Supplementary to the Premier, further to his statement that these clinics move around: is it correct that the Lyell McEwin hospital COVID testing site, which has just been closed by the government, has been in operation at that site since the beginning of the pandemic?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:11): Sir, as you would be more than aware, we have dozens and dozens of these sites. I don't know the exact opening hours of when they open and when they close and where we will be going next—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Ramsay!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —but what I do know is that I put my faith in SA Health to make sure that we do have adequate testing facilities. Those testing facilities can be provided by SA Pathology and also our private laboratories, our private pathology laboratories in South Australia who have done a mighty job, an absolutely mighty job and, in fact, in many instances world leading. Other jurisdictions around the country and around the world have looked at the pathology services, the testing services that we have provided in South Australia.

We were the first in the Southern Hemisphere and, in fact, I think only the second place in the world to create what is now the norm. This is the drive-through testing station with the PCR test. We are now really asking people who develop any symptoms whatsoever to go and get themselves tested.

Mr Picton interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Kaurna! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: We are looking to make those as accessible as possible across the state and, from time to time, that means that we will look at that map, we will look at that coverage and we will adjust it accordingly.