SALEM — The state announced Monday that the “Stop the Spread” COVID-19 testing program will be extended through March 31, ensuring that the two Salem testing sites will remain in operation until then, according to a press release sent by Dominick Pangallo, the mayor’s chief of staff.
“Stop the Spread” is a program launched in over 20 communities across Massachusetts intended to support the testing of asymptomatic individuals to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Testing has been extended at two sites in Salem — the high school at 77 Willson St. and the Old Town Hall at 32 Derby Sq.
“Both sites have been fairly busy,” said Pangallo. “As well as the city’s own testing program, which is by appointment at the Community Life Center.”
Testing at the Stop the Spread sites is open to all Massachusetts residents at no cost, whether or not they are displaying symptoms. However, they are not available for out-of-state residents.
The high school site is a drive-up testing facility, open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The facility has seen heavy traffic during the post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 spike, with wait times sometimes as long as two hours, according to reports from Salem residents.
On Monday, a long line of cars snaked around the high school shortly after the site opened for testing at 4 p.m.
The site has sometimes been forced to temporarily close to new vehicles at points when it gets so crowded that traffic stretches all the way to Willson Street.
To help speed up the process, those going to get tested are asked to pre-register using the links at www.salem.com/stopthespread
The other site at Old Town Hall offers walk-up testing Mondays through Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No proof of insurance or citizenship is necessary.
Testing at both sites are administered via nasal swab by EMTs from Fallon Ambulance and processed by the Broad Institute Laboratory. Test results are returned within 48 hours.
Lynn also recently extended its free testing through March 31, both at the Lynn Community Health Center and at a new location at the Blossom Street Extension parking lot, commonly known as the Lynn Ferry Terminal.
The new location, run by Project Beacon, a company that specializes in high-volume appointment-only testing, will have the capacity to perform up to 2,000 tests per day and will open Dec. 23.
For updates about Salem locations, please visit www.salem.com, and to find a list of all “Stop the Spread” testing locations throughout the state, visit www.mass.gov/
