Camden County has opened its second COVID-19 testing site, with the hope of getting essential workers tested more quickly.

The testing site at Camden County College in Blackwood has stood empty for weeks but officially opened on Wednesday as a partnership between the county and Jefferson Health.

“Every individual that is tested here at this Gloucester Township site is another step forward in eradicating the virus,” says Mayor Dave Mayer.

Rep. Donald Norcross says that the location was at one point being considered by FEMA as a southern New Jersey testing site. But he says that the plan fell through.

“Hearing FEMA yesterday after almost three weeks of saying, ‘We’re working on a site for South Jersey,’ turning and walking away, that seems harsh,” Norcross says.

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This is now the second site in Camden County. The first site opened two weeks ago in Camden City. Officials say that the plan is to test 100 people per day – 500 people per week. The focus will be on getting priority testing for those on the front lines of the crisis.

“We have a priority lane for first responders, for medical care providers, for front line-workers such as grocery store employees and utility employees,” says Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr.

The other two lanes at the site will be open to Camden County residents who have made an appointment and have a prescription from a doctor. But officials say that they will do their best to accommodate anyone who is sick.

“We’re not going to turn anybody away. If you come here, you’ll get some level of care. Those who do not have a prescription will come through this line here and our health department will take care of them and if they need to get a ‘script from their doctor, we’ll explain that process to them,” says Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young.

The site will be open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. County officials say that both testing sites will continue to operate as needed. Test results are usually back within 48 hours.