Free, mobile COVID-19 testing sites now in Hyde Park, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain

Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced this week that free, mobile COVID-19 testing is available to anyone regardless of symptoms. Currently, the City of Boston's mobile teams, in partnerships with Whittier Street Health Center,  East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and LCG Boston, are located in Roxbury, Hyde Park and Jamaica Plain. The Hyde Park site's expanded testing capacity will increase the accessibility of COVID-19 testing for any resident.

"Expanding access to COVID-19 testing, particularly in communities facing higher positive test rates of COVID-19, is vital to our response. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have placed equity at the center of our response to ensure every Bostonian can stay healthy," said Mayor Walsh. "As we continue to see elevated COVID-19 activity in Boston, I want to thank our partners for their continued support for the City of Boston and our residents. In Boston, our decisions and planning are guided by public health metrics and the safety of all Bostonians."

Free COVID-19 testing in Hyde Park is operating five days a week, totaling 40 hours of testing availability. Additionally, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center's testing capacity has expanded to 500 tests per day at its mobile site. Testing is drive-thru only, located at Boston Renaissance Charter Public School at 1432 Hyde Park Avenue. Individuals must make an appointment online, available through Saturday, December 26. Testing will not be available Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25. 

"Testing takes on renewed importance during the holiday season, especially given the current surge in cases, and we're honored to partner with Mayor Walsh to support this critical need for the City of Boston," said President and Chief Executive Officer of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center Manny Lopes. "Safe preparation and planning starts now."

Whittier Street Health Center has COVID-19 testing available in Roxbury at Washington Park Mall at 333 Warren Street until December 26. Anyone can get tested for free and regardless of symptoms. Individuals are asked to pre-register by calling 617-858-2406 before visiting the site during the hours of operation listed below.

• Tuesday, December 22 - Thursday, December 24: 1 - 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 26: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

"We are grateful to partner with the City to provide consistent access to COVID-19 testing, which is crucial to help identify, treat, isolate or hospitalize people who are infected. In addition to testing, we also always want to encourage people to follow the CDC guidelines to wear a mask, wash your hands, and social distance," said Frederica M. Williams, President & CEO of Whittier Street Health Center. "These prevention strategies are critical in controlling the spread of the virus and keeping all of us safe and healthy."

In Jamaica Plain, testing is available in partnership with LCG through Wednesday, December 30 at the Anna Mae Cole Community Center, located at the Mildred Hailey Apartments at 24 Heath Street. Testing is available to anyone at no cost and regardless of symptoms and insurance, and by walk-up only during the hours below. With questions, individuals should contact the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050.

• Sunday, December 20: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
• Monday, December 21 - Tuesday, December 22: 2 - 7 p.m. 
• Wednesday, December 23: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
• Sunday, December 27: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
• Monday, December 28 - Tuesday, December 29:  2 - 7 p.m. 
• Wednesday, December 30: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The mobile site testing initiative was announced by Mayor Walsh in May as a way to help fill any gaps in testing availability, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. The mobile testing teams have previously been located in Roxbury, Allston, South Boston, Mattapan, East Boston, and Dorchester. 

In addition to the City's mobile testing sites, COVID-19 testing is available at over 30 locations across the city. Individuals can call the Mayor's Health Line with any questions using 617-534-5050.  View a complete list of all testing sites.

The City of Boston has been partnering with community health centers to increase access to testing, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. As of Sunday, December 13, 2020, there were 447,170 COVID-19 tests of Boston residents. For all Boston residents, the current community positivity for tests increased from 7.2% for the prior week (November 30- December 6) to 8.0% for the current week (December 7-13). The latest numbers of cases from the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) by neighborhoods are available online.

Resources and information about COVID-19 are available online. Resources available on Boston.gov and through City departments include support for renters and homeowners; small businesses; free meals for Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; support for older residents; information on homeless shelters; resources for those in recovery or those who have a substance use disorder; and mental health resources. More information on Boston's reopening can be found online.

For additional questions or programs, please visit our coronavirus website or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in 11 languages.