Another COVID-19 testing site opens in Bloomington-Normal

Posted on June 10, 2020
Officials say for the safety of all those on-site, the test site is not available to those who walk up. (Photo courtesy: CDC)

By Katherine Murphy

NORMAL – Another COVID-19 testing site is coming to the Twin Cities.

The WalMart parking lot on Greenbriar Drive in Normal will host the drive-thru screening starting Friday. After that, the site will be open on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Unlike the test site at the McLean County Fairgrounds the new location is not open to everyone who wants a test.

In a statement Tuesday, officials announced those who meet CDC and state and local guidelines on who should be tested, including first responders, health care providers and others with symptoms of COVID-19 and those in high risk groups without symptoms will be screened.

Masks will need to be worn and those being tested will stay in their cars for verification of eligibility criteria, ID check and testing.

Officials say for the safety of all those on-site, the test site is not available to those who walk up.

The site will use a self-administered nasal swab test that will allow those being tested to swab their own nose onsite while in their vehicles, observed by a trained medical volunteer to ensure the sample is taken correctly, and then dropped in the sealed sample into a container on their way out of the drive-through site.

To see eligibility requirements and make an appointment visit www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com.

Katherine Murphy can be reached at [email protected]. 

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