The NT Government is preparing to open a new COVID-19 testing facility in East Arm, the industrial area on the outskirts of Darwin, sources have told the NT Independent.

The facility will be established in a disused industrial building in Nebo Rd, about a five minute drive from the Tiger Brennan Drive-Berrimah Rd intersection, and 15 minutes from the Palmerston city centre, the sources said.

There is currently a drive-through test facility in Marrara, and tests are also done at the Palmerson GP Super Clinic.

From Monday, new border rules apply which will require people arriving in the Territory from interstate to have a PCR test in the first three days after arrival and then again on day six.

One source told the NT Independent the facility was due to open on Thursday, but the facility did not appear ready to open as of Wednesday.

Another Health Department source said the facility would be needed with the scrapping of home quarantine restrictions and a large amount of people returning from interstate for Christmas.

“So many Territorians are coming home, we can’t keep up with testing, so we are opening a new facility that will offer drive-through testing seven days a week,” they said.

NT Health did not respond to questions yesterday.

It was unclear where staff would be found to run the new drive-thru testing clinic and if they would be taken from existing facilities.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles is expected to formally announce the new clinic in the coming days.