Independent Pharmacies To Become Testing Centers

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday an executive order that will allow licensed independent pharmacies across the state to become coronavirus testing sites.

There are currently 5000 pharmacies statewide, the governor said, and each will be allowed to conduct the tests, gathering samples that will be sent to area labs.

“We now have more collection sites, more testing capacity,” Cuomo said April 25. “We can open up the eligibility for those tests.”

Cuomo also said the state expanded testing criteria to include all first responders, health care workers, and essential employees, allowing those individuals to be tested even if they do not have symptoms.

“The more testing capabilities we have, the more we will open eligibility,” Cuomo said. “Hopefully one day we get to the point where anybody who wants a test can walk in and get a test. That was the dream.”

rmurphy@indyeastend.com