PCR testing sites at Bass Coast Health (BCH) will cease on Friday December 30.

This is in line with national changes to Covid testing arrangements and follows reduced demand. All of Victoria’s remaining PCR testing sites will close from 31 December 31 and so will no longer distribute Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).

Until then, Monash Health Pathology will offer PCR testing and RATs to eligible people from Wonthaggi Hospital, 9am-1pm, Wednesday to Friday next week, and the Phillip Island Health Hub, 12.30pm-3.30pm Wednesday and Friday next week (closed Boxing Day and Christmas Day public holiday).

BCH CEO Jan Child said the closure of the PCR testing service was the end of an era in the pandemic locally.

“We can all remember back to this time last year when queues for PCR testing at the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site were long, as PCR testing was the only option for COVID testing at that stage,” she said.

“Our staff worked long, hard hours in personal protective equipment in hot conditions to help minimise the impact of the COVID pandemic locally, helping to detect Covid before infected people moved within our community, unaware they were spreading the virus.

“By the time our BCH Covid testing teams concluded in May this year, they had conducted 68,554 COVID-19 tests at Wonthaggi, Cowes and pop-up sites at Bass and San Remo.

“Now we have Rapid Antigen Tests and these tests are the prime method of testing people with Covid symptoms.”

From January 1, if you need a PCR test, you will need to visit a GP respiratory clinic or have a GP referral to a private pathology provider.

Free Rapid Antigen Tests will be distributed by Bass Coast Shire Council at its Customer Service Centres at Wonthaggi, Cowes and Grantville, and Visitor Information Centres at Inverloch and Newhaven.

RATs are also available at supermarkets, pharmacies and other retailers.