Free COVID Testing for New Providence Begins on Saturday

The government will begin free COVID-19 testing on New Providence on Saturday. It comes as the country battles the fourth wave of cases.

Come Saturday free antigen testing will be available as government rolls out its free testing pilot program on New Providence.

According to OPM Press Secretary Clint Watson, there is a capacity for 400 tests per day with antigen tests available at the Melia and Kendall Isaacs gymnasium for those who aren’t displaying symptoms. If an individual tests positive, they will be sent to the South Beach clinic for free PCR testing.

Testing at the gymnasium will be drive-thru. The pilot program follows a fourth wave of infections, with hundreds of cases confirmed daily.

Watson was asked if South Beach clinic has the capacity to accommodate a large influx of people who get a positive result from the antigen test.

Free PCR testing at South Beach clinic is nothing new. So, just how often can you get tested? Watson assured each person is allowed once per week. He was not, however, able to provide a figure on just how much the free testing initiative will cost government.

Free testing was a major promise of the PLP on the campaign trail. A pilot program was launched on several family islands two months ago.

Registration for testing will be available at covidtest.gov.bs