Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of the New York Forward Rapid Test program to help businesses reopen safely. This unique public-private partnership – first announced in the Governor’s State of 2021 – will make low-cost rapid tests available to the public to support improved economic activity as the state continues to reopen sectors of the economy. Eleven initial sites will open in New York City today with the capability to perform more than 5,000 tests per day, while additional sites will open in New York City and other parts of the state in the coming weeks.
“During the COVID pandemic, we rely on science of emotion and political rhetoric to guide our decisions, using all available tools to navigate the challenges to public health and economic problems in New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “I have said from the outset that testing will be an important part of our recovery from the pandemic, as it will help us accelerate the reopening of our economy – without compromising the extraordinary progress we have made. “recover, undo. The City, New York Forward’s rapid testing program, will help us ensure that we encourage economic activity while minimizing the risks to human health.”
Acting Commissioner for the Empire State Development and President and CEO Eric Gertler said: “COVID-19 has not only made the daily lives of people very disruptive, but also for the state’s economy and the livelihoods of New Yorkers. The New York Forward Rapid Test Program, announced by Governor Cuomo as part of its 2021 State of the State agenda, is just one of the many innovative public-private partnerships that ESD is using to help reopen the economy following the global pandemic and to move New York forward. ‘
REBNY President James Whelan said, “Governor Cuomo’s leadership on nationwide vaccination and efforts to test quickly put New York on the path to a strong recovery. This is in part because the governor understands how critical public-private partnerships will be to businesses successfully. REBNY its members are proud to play a collaborative role in the New York Forward Rapid Test program and we are working with the Cuomo administration to expand the program and access to further increase rapid testing over the coming weeks. ‘
The New York Forward Rapid Test program aims to dramatically expand access to rapid testing so that business and entertainment centers can reopen more safely. The network offers an extra layer of protection and confidence as New Yorkers resume economic activity, and it provides future state guidelines that will increase capacity limits, depending on the test. The governor had earlier announced that provision would be made for events that are above the limit for social gatherings, according to state regulations on March 15, and all patrons should be tested before the event. Local health departments must be notified of events in advance. There is a capacity limit of 50 percent and no more than 150 people can attend the event.
Test providers participating in the network should provide rapid testing for no more than $ 30, provide participants with their results within 30 minutes, provide a mechanism for pre-planning people, and report the results to the state. To reduce the cost of testing for New Yorkers and expand the number of sites, the state provides access to Abbott BinaxNow tests at cost to some suppliers and it works with the Real Estate Board of New York, Business Improvement District and other partners across the state. to identify empty spaces in commercial centers that can be donated to the test network. Donated sites must be in a hallway that is commercially zoned, contains at least 750 square feet of open space, and be available immediately for at least six months. Websites must have access to street level, a restroom and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Units that meet the above criteria and are interested in participating must send an email [email protected] for consideration.
Individuals who do not experience COVID symptoms and who have not recently been exposed to COVID-19 can participate in this initiative by visiting participating sites and completing a questionnaire. Individuals must continue to adhere to all New York Forward reopening guidelines, including but not limited to the use of face masks, social distances, and other protocols.
Tests at the initial sites will be performed by:
- BioReference Laboratories at certain CVS pharmacy locations and other locations
- Clarity MedHealth, which operates mobile testing sites. Additional mobile testing sites will be added in the coming weeks that could move to the country as needed to support economic activities.
- Quest Diagnostics will open additional sites in New York City and other states in the state in the coming weeks, along with options for confirmatory COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing
Visit the program website to find partners who are participating in this initiative and to make an appointment.
The following test rooms will be open on Friday:
- Clarity MedHealth Mobile Laboratory at New York City Police Memorial, Liberty Street and South End Ave, New York, NY 10282
- Clarity MedHealth Mobile Laboratory at Irish Hunger Memorial, Vesey Street and North End Avenue, New York NY 10280
- Clarity MedHealth Mobile Laboratory at Pier A, 22 Battery Place, 10004
- Bioreference, 1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
- Bioreference, West 52nd Street 6, New York, NY 10019
- Bioreference, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
- Bioreference at CVS Pharmacy, 6 N Street 27, Brooklyn, NY 11249
- Bioreference at CVS Pharmacy, 30-97 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103
- Bioreference at CVS Pharmacy, 1916 Williamsburg Road, Bronx, NY 10461
- Bioreference at CVS Pharmacy, 2182 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
- Bioreference at CVS Pharmacy, 475 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
A negative test result does not exclude the possibility of infection and does not mean that an individual is at risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. However, investigating and testing the initiative is another tool – in addition to the use of face masks, social distance and other protocols – that could put New York State businesses on the right track to reopening more securely with higher capacities. Visit the program’s website to learn more about New York’s rapid testing program and to see the Department of Health’s guidance.
New York was at the forefront of test capability development during the COVID-19 crisis, averaging more than 200,000 tests per day. Visit the Department of Health website to find a test site in your area.