Drive-Up, No-Appointment COVID-19 Testing Returns to New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD — As the state-run COVID-19 testing site at the Whale’s Tooth parking lot converts from a drive-up model to appointment-only, the City of New Bedford has come up with a temporary solution to still allow residents to drive up and take a test.

The City of New Bedford will offer – for a limited time – drive-up COVID-19 testing for New Bedford residents at the New Bedford Regional Airport parking lot beginning Tuesday, December 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tests are free and no appointment is required. Testing is expected for 5-10 days, depending on test kit supplies and individuals tested per day.

Due to anticipated inclement weather, there will not be testing at the Airport testing site on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Testing will resume based on the progress of storm recovery efforts. Residents should monitor the City’s website www.newbedford-ma.gov and local media for further announcements.

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 today, 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-.

— City of New Bedford