Easton To Host Free Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Day

EASTON, MA — The Town of Easton will be hosting a drive-thru COVID-19 testing day on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m at Easton Fire Station 3, located at 413 Bay Road.

The testing day is being offered to supplement the testing already available in the town and prepare for the state's vaccine distribution plan.

"By offering this testing site, we can provide a service to the public while also implementing COVID-19 emergency preparedness plans for police, fire, health and public works that will be integral to any potential vaccine distribution efforts later this spring," said Chief Kevin Partridge, Easton's Emergency Management Director, in a statement.

The testing site will be drive-thru only and those getting tested are asked to remain in their vehicles, keep the windows up, and wear a mask at all times. The tests will be free for Easton residents regardless of their insurance plans.

The COVID-19 testing day will operate by appointment only on a first-come, first served basis. Those who wish to get tested most pre-register online with the Board of Health and provide proof of residency. Those who require assistance with the online form can call the COVID-19 hotline at 508-230-0783 or email the Town of Easton.

Easton first responders began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine Monday at Foxborough Safety Complex as part of Phase I of the state's vaccine rollout. The details of Phase II and III have not yet been released.

“While we await further guidance from the state on our role in Phase II and III vaccinations, the team felt a pilot drive-thru test site would provide us a proactive opportunity to work with the community to test our reservation booking and COVID-related operational capacities before any potential community-wide vaccination efforts are underway, and to identify any areas needing improvement ahead of time,” said Easton Town Administrator Connor Read in a statement. “This builds on certifying our firefighter/paramedics for COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration and other critical capacity building efforts in advance of later phases of the Massachusetts vaccination plan.”