Nobody wants to contract the coronavirus. But if you do, you probably want to know about it — and fast.
Now, some major retailers are offering free coronavirus testing. The following retailers announced this week that they also are expanding their testing programs.
Recently passed federal legislation makes these tests free. However, AARP reports that you must follow a protocol before you will get a test:
“In general, patients seeking testing must first undergo an online screening process to determine eligibility and secure an appointment. Once at a testing site, usually arriving by car, the patient will be asked to self-administer a nose swab under the guidance of a pharmacist or other health care professional. Patients typically remain in their vehicles during testing. Some test results are delivered on-site; most, however, are delivered later by phone or email.”
Retailers offering these free tests include:
CVS
To get your test, you must register in advance — via CVS’ COVID-19 testing webpage — and qualify.
Right now, you can get a test from CVS in Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan and Rhode Island. In May, CVS will start expanding its testing program with the goal of establishing 1,000 testing locations across the U.S.
Kroger
To get your test, you first will need to use the Kroger Virtual Assessment Tool, which is available on Kroger Health’s COVID-19 testing page.
As of April 23, Kroger is offering testing at 30 locations in Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. Kroger plans to have 50 locations in more than 12 states by the end of May.
Rite Aid
As with all of these retailers, you will need to use the screener to qualify for testing. Rite Aid has partnered with life sciences company Verily and is using Verily’s Project Baseline program for screening. So, Rite Aid is directing consumers to the screener on Project Baseline’s website.
Free testing is available in California, Delaware, Idaho, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, with more locations on the way.
Walgreens
To qualify for testing, take the screening questionnaire that’s available on Walgreens’ COVID-19 testing page.
The drugstore chain is offering testing in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. It plans to add to this list, expanding to 49 states.
Walmart
To get a test, you must sign up for an appointment via the links on Walmart’s COVID-19 testing page.
Testing is available in more than a dozen states, as indicated on the map on the testing page.
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