The station is close to Christchurch Hospital and people will be referred for testing by GPs and the Emergency Department.
It's been set up in a secret location to avoid people turning up for a test without prior notice.
Canterbury District Health Board chief medical officer Dr Sue Nightingale said the station will help streamline the testing process.
"As we're wanting to increase the numbers [of testing], it's a lot more efficient and safer to have a dedicated setup.
"Testing carried out in our first centre will be on referral from General Practice and Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department.
"Community Based Testing Centres are established to provide increased testing capacity during infectious disease pandemics.
"They form part of a pandemic response and there are a number of forms they make take, either in buildings or as mobile clinics.
"We also already have testing capacity in Canterbury outside of a dedicated clinic and have the capacity to develop mobile services as required.
"As occurs now, anyone with Covid-19 will be provided with advice on managing their condition based on the symptoms they are experiencing, and on self-isolation if they are asymptomatic or if their symptoms are mild.
"They will also receive advice on what danger signs to look for and what to do if their condition worsens. Most people will be able to stay at home safely while they recover."
Community testing centres are also being set up in several other locations across NZ.
WellSouth chief executive officer Andrew Swanson-Dobbs said it was important to keep people who may have Covid-19 away from the Dunedin Hospital and emergency department.
‘‘If their general practice doesn't have the capacity, it [the centre] acts as an overflow.’’
He urged people to call Healthline before going anywhere.
‘‘We know it’s under pressure, but Healthline can talk you through whether you do need to be seen.
‘‘Then see or ring your GP — they all have the necessary equipment and skills to be able to manage and test patients.’’
The centre would manage any overflow GPs were facing, he said.
‘‘If you need to be seen, we will make sure you get assessed.’’
He said the concept of a community-based assessment centre was something every district health board and health system had in national pandemic planning.
‘‘These centres were used in the Christchurch earthquake.’’
He said the 82 general practices in the Southern region all had ability to assess patients with personal protective equipment, but the practice was designated to cope with demand if needed.
Other centres could be set up across the region within 24 hours.
‘‘In Invercargill there is one that can be set up, if needed.’’
