Free COVID-19 testing in Columbia removes barriers
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
People in Columbia will have several opportunities for free COVID-19 testing in September.
A local health official said Friday that these free events are helping to eliminate barriers for those who want to be tested.
"The only barrier that could possibly still exist would be somebody's ability to get to one of those sites," said Scott Clardy, assistant director of the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Clardy said the health department will be looking at what kind of results they receive in order to determine whether other free testing will be available in the future.
Compass Health Network will offer testing from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday. A doctor's note is not required, but registration is closed for Friday's testing. The health provider, though, will offer the testing again on Sept. 23, and registration for that event opens Monday.
On Monday and Tuesday, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is partnering with the Missouri National Guard for community testing events.
The National Guard will be at The Crossing in Columbia from noon to 7 p.m. on Monday then from 7 a.m. to noon on Tuesday.
A doctor's note is not required for the National Guard community testing either. Registration is open on the Department of Health and Senior Services website.
