The Mayor of Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti had announced that the city is offering coronavirus test to all its residents for free. It will be the first major city in the United State to do so.
He announced this at a news conference on Wednesday. He said, “We have the capacity so don’t wait, don’t wander and don’t risk infecting others.”
He mentioned that the test became available on Wednesday night and there is no limit on the number of tests residents can get.
He added that those who get tested at drive-thru testing sites can get their results within 24 to 48 hours.
At the news conference, Garcetti made it known that the testing would be open to only city residents.
According to a news release and the city’s website, all Los Angeles County residents can sign up for the free test.
It is also stated that those with the symptoms will be prioritized while asymptomatic residents were encouraged to get tested too.
According to the Mayor, the decision to expand testing came after the city opened more locations for testing and found that tests were leftover each night.
He said, “if you feel you need a test, get one. If you want to be safe, get one.”
Garcetti also revealed that there are 34 testing sites across the city and county of Los Angeles, with the capacity of carrying out 18,000 tests per day. He said more than 140,000 people have been tested throughout the testing sites.
