| 29 Apr 2020

The South Canterbury DHB will be carrying out community testing in the Mackenzie Country tomorrow.

This pop-up community testing is a great opportunity for anyone to get tested for COVID-19, if you have any of the below symptoms:

  • respiratory symptoms
  • cough
  • fever
  • shortness of breath
  • head cold
  • sore throat
  • loss of sense of smell.

We are also encouraging as many asymptomatic people as possible to get tested. No appointment is required, and everyone is welcome tomorrow between 1 - 3 pm at the COVID-19 Pop-up Testing Clinic.

This community testing will help provide us with assurance that there is not undetected community transmission in South Canterbury.

Mackenzie Country COVID-19 Pop-up Testing Clinic

  • Thursday, 30 April 2020
  • The Godley Hotel, Rapuwai Lane, Lake Tekapo, in the large vehicle/bus parking area
  • 1pm – 3pm
  • Drive through clinic
  • NZ Driver license or passport needed
  • ALL WELCOME, NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED!

We thank the Mackenzie community in advance for getting tested and helping us confirm if we have any people in our community with COVID-19, in order to prevent further spread.


How to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19  

South Canterbury DHB continues to remind the public that the best way they can help with the COVID-19 response is to:

  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues
  • Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds) and dry thoroughly
  • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell (stay at least 2 metres away)
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  • Avoid personal contact with sick people, such as kissing and sharing cups or food
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs
  • Stay home if you feel unwell
  • Practice low-touch shopping. Do not handle things you are not buying, keep your distance, be aware of how you are touching things like bank cards, money, ATMs and Eftpos machines. Wash your hands after touching things like this as soon as you can.

Practice Physical Distancing

  • Keep two metres physical distance from people who are not in your bubble. Practice this when you’re using essential services such as supermarkets
  • We are all in this together and it is important as a community we remember to be kind to each other, and to check up on friends, family and neighbours, by using the phone, online messaging, or just chatting over the fence while following the physical distancing guidelines of a safe two-metre distance.

Media contact:

Karen Berry
Communications Manager
South Canterbury District Health Board
P: 03 687 2395 | M: 021 139 7442
kberry@scdhb.health.nz