Health giant CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) opened dozens of testing locations in several states on Friday. The newly opened testing locations are part of a significant effort by CVS to expand its testing nationwide, with a goal to open 1,000 locations across the country by May.
CVS rolled out a slew of testing sites on Friday, the first in a new series of sites as part of an ongoing partnership with several state governments to increase testing accessibility. Dozens of testing sites opened on Friday in several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, and Arizona.
The tests are being conducted at CVS drive-thru stores. Individuals seeking testing must register online before going to a testing location. Once at a testing site, individuals are to be directed through the drive-thru to receive a self-testing kit, where they will provide a sample to CVS that is then passed off to a third party lab for proper testing. Testing will only be available to those who meet the criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"While the large-scale test sites we've been operating since early April have proven successful, this new approach allows us to utilize our presence in communities across the country and bring testing closer to home," said CVS Health President and CEO Larry J. Merlo. "Our front line employees will continue to play a critical role in the testing process, with members of their communities directly benefiting from their dedication and selflessness.
CVS' push is being met by other retailers as states being the slow process of re-opening businesses. The move to rescind closures and end stay-at-home orders has caused concern over the availability of Coronavirus testing. Earlier this week, executives from CVS were joined by executives from Walgreens (NASDAQ: WBA), Walmart (NYSE: WMT), Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD), and Kroger (NYSE: KR) at the White House to announce plans to ramp up testing nationwide. In addition to CVS' testing sites, Walmart announced it would have 100 sites ready nationwide by May, while Walgreens planned to have testing sites open in all states as well as Puerto Rico. Kroger announced it would have 50 testing locations in 12 states by May.