Governor Walz Announces Increased COVID-19 Community Testing Capacity Through the Holidays
[ST. PAUL, MN] – As part of the Walz-Flanagan Administration’s ‘Celebrate Safely, Minnesota’ Campaign, Governor Tim Walz today announced an increase of testing capacity in the state’s COVID-19 community testing network in anticipation of increased demand before the holidays.
“Holiday gatherings are right around the corner and getting tested before getting together with family is vital to protecting loved ones from COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “In addition to expanding capacity at these sites, we are also encouraging all Minnesotans to take advantage of the free testing offered at all 21 sites across the state, as well as through the at-home program. After getting vaccinated and boosted, get tested, and Celebrate Safely, Minnesota!”
Beginning Monday, December 20, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul state community testing sites will open two hours early at 9 a.m. (instead of 11 a.m.). Also beginning Monday, December 20, the Duluth state community testing site will add an additional testing day to its weekly operations. All three sites offer rapid antigen swab and saliva PCR testing. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Walk-ins are also available.
COVID-19 testing is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 variants, including Delta and Omicron. To that end, the Minneapolis and Saint Paul sites are also adding additional testing hours, and the Duluth site is adding two extra days, to increase their capacity ahead and through the holidays. Both Minneapolis and Saint Paul sites will increase their daily capacity by approximately 250 tests for a new maximum daily capacity of approximately 1,250 tests per site.
Here are the details:
Minneapolis at the Convention Center – Expanding Holiday Hours
- December 20-23: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- December 27–30: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- January 3: 11 a.m. –6 p.m.
- January 4-7: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Return to regular hours week of January 10
Duluth at the DECC – Adding Two Extra Days
- Adding Monday, December 20: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Adding Monday, December 27: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Return to regular hours January 3
Saint Paul at Roy Wilkins Auditorium – Expanding Holiday Hours
- December 20–23: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- December 27–30: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- January 3 – 6: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (January 3 in Exhibit Hall; January 4-6 in Ballroom)
- Return to regular hours week of January 10
Locations and hours of all the state’s community testing sites can be found here.