Temporary drive-up COVID-19 testing for New Bedford residents reopens at airport on Saturday, December 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The City of New Bedford’s temporary drive-up COVID-19  testing site for New Bedford residents at the New Bedford Regional Airport reopens on Saturday, December 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Tests are free and no appointment is required. Testing is expected to run daily for 5-10 days, depending on test kit supplies, including Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Testing was paused at the site due to this week’s snowstorm.

Who is Eligible for Testing?

Testing is limited to New Bedford residents only. Identification will be required at the drive-up site.

Getting to the Airport Testing Site

Drivers should enter via the Shawmut Avenue entrance of the Airport ONLY.

Airport Operations

No impacts on Airport activity are expected during COVID-19 testing. The Airport terminal will be open to passengers and normal flight operations are planned.

Background

The City’s drive-up COVID-19 testing initiative is designed to temporarily increase local testing capacity while a state-run regional testing facility currently operating on the city’s waterfront transitions to an appointment-only facility.

Last week, it was announced that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Stop-the-Spread testing site at the Whale’s Tooth Parking Lot becomes appointment-only beginning Monday, December 14.

The Whale’s Tooth site is run by Project Beacon and appointments can be made at app.beacontesting.com. The full schedule of Stop-the-Spread testing is available on the state’s website at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread#new-bedford-.