Victorian coronavirus testing sites battling demand, more staff urgently called in

Victorians are facing hours-long waits for coronavirus testing again, as health authorities call back large numbers of staff from end-of-year leave to meet the surge in demand.

Victoria processed more than 18,000 tests on Friday and more than 22,000 on Saturday, after more than 60,000 people returned from New South Wales over the New Year period following the announced hard closure of the border.

All of those returnees are required to get a coronavirus test within 24 hours of arrival, but authorities have said they will not be penalised if that proves impossible due to overwhelmed testing centres.

Those who arrived before midnight on January 1 are required to quarantine until they receive a negative result, while anyone who…