By Allison Perrine
NEW JERSEY – Residents will soon be able to take self-administered, self-swab COVID-19 tests at various Walmart stores throughout the state to see if they test positive for the virus.
After working with Walmart and Quest Diagnostics over the past few weeks, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that, in the coming days, New Jersey residents will be able to take these tests by appointment only at seven drive-thru locations outside of select Walmart stores in Howell, Garfield, North Bergen, Kearny, Flemington, Burlington and Mount Laurel. There will be no testing inside the physical Walmart stores.
“We’re proud of the work our team has put in to create the partnerships that will get us to our goal. This is an all-hands-on- deck ef for t from the people within our administration,” said Murphy.
Tests will be accessible from 7 to 9 a.m. next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Then, beginning June 1, tests will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Results should be available about two days after taking the test.
“We’re going to continue building the partnerships necessary for us to keep building out our testing program. More testing means more people will know their health status and that means more peace of mind,” said Murphy. “More testing creates more data, and more data allows us to take more steps forward.”
The test kits will be provided by Walmart pharmacists and trained medical volunteers. Those looking to take the test will be required to follow specific safety protocols. Anyone interested can visit My-QuestCOVIDTest.com to schedule an appointment.
“Walmart is part of the community, and we are proud to help support the expansion of COVID-19 testing throughout New Jersey during this unprecedented time,” Jennifer Hoehn, Walmart public affairs director for New Jersey, said in a press release. “We are grateful to our associates who keep our stores running, our pharmacists who support these testing sites, and to Quest Diagnostics and local officials as we work together to open these sites and help our community.”
As of Wednesday, May 20, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in the state reached 150,399, an increase of 1,670 overnight. Of that total, there have been a reported 10,747 deaths, which Murphy called “almost unfathomable.” But despite the numbers, new hospitalizations and patients in hospitals on ventilators and in ICUs, are down significantly since the peak of the virus mid-April.
“No one deserves, ever, to be relegated to just a statistic, and certainly not at a time like this,” said Murphy.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, Murphy announced an order to reopen in-person car and motorcycle sales, allowing dealerships, boat dealerships and bike shops to reopen by appointment only using social distancing measures. The order took effect Wednesday morning.
“We know this is an important step for our dealerships and bike shops and New Jerseyans who need access to transportation,” said Murphy. “We will continue to responsibly and deliberately give different sectors a green light to open in a manner that is consistent with public health.”
Deciding when and how to reopen other nonessential retail shops will continue to be a challenge, Murphy said Tuesday in a press conference. The car and bike model “may have some legs” for other venues, he said.
“I just want to make sure everybody knows that we are constantly war-gaming this,” said the governor. “I want to get a haircut as much as the next guy, but you’re in very close proximity and you’re sitting there. I want to open up dining as much as the next guy on the inside, but you’re sitting there, in close proximity. It’s a challenge indoors with faith.”
The article originally appeared in the May 21 – 27, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
