Gov. Phil Murphy says coronavirus testing is expanding in the state, with Walmart offering self-administered nasal swab tests beginning Friday at locations in seven towns across the state.

 

The location in Howell is included, where a soft opening took place this morning and about 20 tests were given.

The governor said Wednesday at his daily briefing that the stores will offer drive-up tests from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

Next week testing will be offered Tuesday because of Memorial Day. Appointments are required, and people can schedule a test through Quest Diagnostics. No tests will be given inside any of the stores.

"You just have to go to myquest.com,” says Walmart Health & Wellness Director Joseph Michael. “You create an account and login and then you look for a COVID-19 test based on the zip code of where you're looking to test. The store will show up and then any open slots will be available for you to select."

People who meet CDC criteria will be tested, including first responders, health care providers and those who are symptomatic.

“More testing means more people will know their health status,” says Gov. Murphy. “That means more peace of mind. More testing creates more data and more data allows us to take more steps forward."

The other locations are in Burlington, Flemington, Garfield, Kearney, Mount Laurel and North Bergen.

“The best part about the test is it's free,” says Michael. “It doesn't cost anything at all. You just have to complete the survey questions on [the] Quest website and if you qualify you'd be able to select a time slot and come on down.”

The governor says the partnership will help achieve his goal of conducting 20,000 tests per day by the end of the month. He also says the state will continue to build partnerships necessary to keep expanding testing capacity.

"Our licensed pharmacists here with Walmart will help to walk our patients through how to self-administer it,” says Michael. “They'll be observing and giving them guidance. The test results usually come back to the patients directly in two to three business days."