2020 - 2022

Bondi was an internationally visible location throughout the Global Pandemic. It received sharp criticism for local responses to Public Health orders, but it also was home to one of the busiest Covid Testing sites in Australia. Located on Park Drive North (behind the Bondi Pavilion), the temporary testing facility was a joint response by the State Government, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydpath Pathology and Waverley Council.

The site quickly became one of the busiest testing sites in Australia, with the capacity to test up to 4000 people per day. It was also situated next to one of Sydney’s most recognised tourist destinations. Naturally, the site was regularly featured in the media offering a surreal contrast of patient testing alongside beach goers and outdoor recreation. Tabloids regularly featured narratives of the health-obsessed entitled local, running stories of fitness enthusiasts apparently oblivious to their sober surroundings. Another local character, Dimitri Moskovich, was arrested in April 2020 for trying to sun bake during the lockdown. He later made headlines again for setting up a petition to shutdown the clinic and ‘reclaim the car park for the locals’. He later won a court case to have his fine overturned and receiving compensation for his arrest.

The logistics of the drive-though won praise from other local governments for the efficiency of testing and impact its success in getting the community to accept a testing clinic within their midst.

Images courtesy the Sydney Morning Herald.