There were long queues of cars testing centres in Auckland again this morning for Covid-19 swabs.
Photo: RNZ / Jean Bell
Yesterday more than 3000 people went through testing stations in Auckland alone.
Four new pop-up centres opened in the city - at Devonport, St Lukes, Wairau Valley and Albany - with some already attracting lines of cars.
The permanent centres have extended their hours.
Information on testing sites: in Auckland and nationwide.
Lines of traffic heading to the Northcote community testing centre. Photo: RNZ / Jean Bell
Traffic down Rocklands Ave - a side street leading to the Northcote community testing centre. Photo: RNZ / Jean Bell
People lining up in their cars to be tested for Covid-19 in Balmoral. Photo: RNZ / Jean Bell
This is the Balmoral testing centre line from another angle, down Dominion Road. Photo: RNZ / Jean Bell
A Hamilton woman had a seven-hour wait yesterday, joining the queue just before midday when the testing station at Claudelands Event Centre opened and not getting home until after dark.
"There must have been at least 150 cars. It was like a car park in Countdown at one stage" - Liz Stedman
Liz Stedman reckoned there were 150 cars at one stage.
"It was just almost close to eight hours, so I think I was one of the last people through," she said.
"I think they turned people away so some people had waited and not got through."
She thought about bailing when people in front of her started to leave.
"That did cross my mind on several occasions. When I saw people were moving away I asked the people that were managing the traffic how long they thought it would be and they said two hours and I thought oh, it's probably okay.
But she said people mostly seemed resigned to the wait.
"People were really good actually.
"You're not allowed out of your car and you're not allowed to do much - so you can't really tell. There were no horns being tooted - someone yelled out 'I've got another appointment and left."
On Tuesday more than 7000 tests were processed across New Zealand.
The queue for the St Luke's testing station stretched down St Luke's Road and on to Great North Road. Photo: RNZ / Jean Bell
Pop-up testing sites are open in Coromandel township and Thames, and an additional testing centre has been stood up at Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton.
Many drivers were waiting in line for testing at Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth this morning.
Most people said either they or their children were symptomatic, or they themselves had been in Auckland, some at places of interest.
The queue for testing at Taranaki Base Hospital in New Plymouth. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
In Christchurch, the Pages Road queue stretched down two neighbouring streets.
These cars aren't parked, they are waiting in line.
Drivers wait patiently at the Pages Road Covid-19 testing centre in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Kim Moodie
This is an official Covid-19 ALERT.
All of New Zealand is now at Covid-19 alert level 4.
The alert level will be reviewed after 3 days for all areas EXCEPT Auckland & Coromandel Peninsula which is likely to remain at level 4 for an initial period of 7 days.
A community case of Covid-19 has been identified.
Stay at home where possible & follow the Alert Level 4 guidelines. This will stop the spread of Covid-19 and SAVE LIVES.
Everyone is asked to:
Wear a mask and keep a 2 metre distance from others whenever you leave your home.
If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.
Keep on scanning QR codes whenever you leave your home.
Practice good hygiene - wash hands often.
Services including supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics & petrol stations will stay open at Alert Level 4. Face coverings are mandatory for all people - both employees and customers - at businesses and services operating at Alert Level 4 involving customer contact.
For more information on Alert Level 4 go to [the government website www.covid19.govt.nz]
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Kia Kaha - Stay Strong