PNC Arts Center Testing Site Opens Today

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗-𝟭𝟵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗡𝗖 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲-𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝟴 𝗮.𝗺.

Photo of PNC Arts Center courtesy of Assemblywomen Serena DiMaso

The much anticipated COVID-19 testing site at the PNC Arts Center is opening today, Monday, March 23 at 8 a.m. The Arts Center is located a mile 116 on the Garden State Parkway.

The center will be open seven days per week until daily supplies last, Governor Phil Murphy announced. Gates will open at 8 a.m. Individuals will not be permitted to line up along the Garden State Parkway. The PNC commuter parking lot will be closed.

Only New Jersey residents with symptoms of respiratory illness will be tested. Preference will be given to those who are coughing, have a fever of 99.6, and are short of breath.

“We have had great success in testing over 1,000 individuals in just two days at our Community-Based Testing Site in Bergen County,”said Governor Phil Murphy. “Through our partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, we are able to open a second drive-thru location in Central Jersey, which is an important step in dramatically ramping up our testing capabilities throughout the state. Expanding access to testing is vital in flattening the curve and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey.”

“If you have symptoms including fever, shortness of breath, or cough you should be tested,” said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “Those with underlying medical conditions and those who are 65 and older who have symptoms are particularly at risk for more severe illness and should be tested.”

“The opening of the Community-Based Testing Site at the PNC Bank Arts Center will provide New Jersey’s residents with an accessible location to be tested for COVID-19, which is an essential component in our efforts to identify individuals who have the virus and essentially slow it’s spread and flatten the curve,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We ask the public to help us by staying home and adhering to social distancing recommendations as we continue to work with our state and local partners during this difficult time.”

“In the battle against COVID-19 our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen stand ready to serve our fellow residents,” said Brig. Gen. Jemal J. Beale, The Adjutant General and Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.“The New Jersey National Guard is fully capable to assist other state agencies in the operation of drive-thru testing sites.”

Community-Based Testing Sites are for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Individuals who are not symptomatic will not be tested, as it diverts critical resources such as testing kits and laboratory materials from those who are ill. Each site will be provided with an allocation of 2,500 specimen collection kits and Personal Protective Equipment for all staff. The specimen collections will be transmitted to the contracted laboratory twice per day and results will be reported within 2-5 business days. Testing is free and will be covered by the federal government or personal insurance company. Individuals are encouraged to bring insurance cards if they have one.