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headline

COVID-19 testing in 'meltdown' as clinics close on public holiday

Sydney testing clinics are in "meltdown" as multiple sites close for the public holiday despite COVID-19 cases surging.

Mayor of Randwick Dylan Parker claims multiple drive-through clinics were closed in Randwick and the Prince of Wales Hospital was no longer accepting walk-ins on Christmas Day.

"Hundreds of people waiting in line for several hours with multiple drive-throughs shut," Councillor Parker said in a Facebook post.

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NSW records 6288 new COVID cases on Christmas day. Hefron Park COViD testing clinic is closed for Christmas. December 25, 2021. Photo: Rhett Wyman/SMH

"Reportedly now Prince of Wales hospital is no longer accepting walk-ins as the line is too long."

A number of testing clinics across Sydney were closed due to Christmas Day being a public holiday, including Heffron Park drive-through clinic in Randwick.

"Council allowed these centres to operate seven days a week and on public holidays for as long as it takes," Councillor Parker said.

Councillor Parker told Today that the surge in testing numbers was "totally foreseeable" and added healthcare workers need help to meet the demand.

Mayor of Randwick says Sydney testing clinics are in 'meltdown' as long lines persist for yet another day.

"It is not the fault of dedicated and passionate healthcare workers who are working and the clock and are doing a phenomenal job," he said.

"This was totally foreseeable that if you shut local clinics, people are going to run into even fewer areas in order to get the test done and they are waiting all day."

Councillor Parker said he knew someone who showed up at a testing clinic at 8.30am on Christmas Day and didn't leave until 4pm.

"They are doing the right thing, they are not spending time with friends and family. Just not good enough," he said.

The reason for the long queues is clinics operating on reduced hours, Councillor Parker added.

"It is frustrating because the system was working. We have had major outbreaks before and it was smooth," he said.

"The difference is that some of these clinics are operating on reduced hours."

A spokesperson for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District said the Prince of Wales Hospital COVID-19 testing clinic does not turn away people who present for COVID-19 testing.

"Like many testing clinics across the Sydney metropolitan area, the Prince of Wales Hospital testing clinic experienced a very high demand for COVID-19 testing on Christmas Day," the spokesperson said.

"NSW Health advises people to get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms, even if only mild, and to self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

"This public health advice applies to everyone, even people who are fully or partially vaccinated."

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Large lines at Bondi's COVID-19 testing clinic on Christmas Day

COVID-19 clinics across Sydney saw a surge in patients looking to get tested on Christmas Day.

Testing sites that remained open on the public holiday were inundated by patients.

Some people waited more than five hours to get tested.

There was a kilometres long queue at North Ryde by 8am on Saturday morning, adding up to a three-hour wait.

Almost every day last week, long lines were spotted across Sydney due to both the surge in COVID-19 cases and the PCR testing requirement for interstate travel.

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Testing clinics across Sydney see another day of long lines, even on Christmas day.

Almost 150,000 people braved the testing lines on Friday as COVID-19 cases continued to surge.

NSW cases topped 6000 yesterday, recording 6288 new infections on Christmas Day.

headline

UK police arrest armed intruder on Windsor Castle grounds

British police arrested a man armed with a weapon on the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Thames Valley police said the security breach took place at 8.30am on Christmas Day.

The 19-year-old from Southampton is in custody.

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Police guard the Henry VIII gate at Windsor Castle at Windsor, England on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has stayed at Windsor Castle instead of spending Christmas at her Sandringham estate due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

“The man has been arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in custody at this time,’’ Thames Valley Police Superintendent Rebecca Mears said.

“We can confirm security processes were triggered within moments of the man entering the grounds and he did not enter any buildings."

Members of the royal family have been informed.

READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth delivers Christmas message tinged with sadness after Prince Philip's death

Queen Elizabeth II is spending the Christmas holidays at Windsor, having decided not to stay at Sandringham, the royal estate in eastern England where she traditionally spends the festive season with family.

Queen Elizabeth delivered a particularly poignant Christmas message yesterday, devoting her annual address to the legacy of Prince Philip, who died in April.

From the grounds of Windsor castle where Queen Elizabeth is spending her first festive season without Philip, the 95-year-old monarch delivered a Christmas message tinged with sadness.