Drive-through testing site welcomed by drivers despite wait

While the demand was still there at Regina’s drive-through COVID-19 testing site Thursday, a slight change was made to keep the line of vehicles from reaching the street.

Traffic was snaking through a parking lot outside the International Trade Centre, two days after the line stretched onto Lewvan Drive during the first day the testing site was open.

But it was still a lengthy wait, with a sign out front alerting drivers it could take up to 90 minutes.

“I suspected it would be busy so I’m not too surprised (by the wait). I’m prepared for it,” said Sara Cryderman. “If it was two or three hours, I might not be here, but an hour and a half I can live with.”

Jane Smith was in favour of the idea of the drive-through testing site.

“It’s supposed to get you through faster, but I’m not very sure,” Smith said. “We’re pretty fortunate that it’s free in our province of Saskatchewan and probably in Canada.”

She said her family has underlying health conditions and was glad to see people getting tested.

A man named Harley said he tried to get out to the testing site earlier to try and beat the big rush.

“I think it’s a great idea. It makes things a lot easier for people,” he said. “I’m pretty sure I have a common cold but just to be safe I thought I should get tested anyways.”

The site is open Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saskatoon’s first drive-through site opened on Thursday.