Malibu Offers Free Coronavirus Testing Through Friday

MALIBU, CA — The City of Malibu is offering its second round of free drive-through coronavirus screening through 4 p.m. Friday at the upper parking lot of Malibu City Hall at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road.

The city has partnered with the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), an emergency and disaster relief nonprofit founded by resident Sean Penn; the COVID Clinic, a Huntington Beach-based mobile testing clinic dedicated to providing coronavirus testing for all; and the Malibu Medical Group to provide testing for residents of Greater Malibu and first responders and essential workers serving the city. During the first round of testing from April 6-11, 1,197 free coronavirus tests were administered, including more than 400 for first responders and essential workers.

Testing is completely free for people with health insurance displaying COVID-19 symptoms, according to the Malibu Medical Group, which is administering the FDA-approved nasal swab tests under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Benya.

Uninsured people displaying symptoms are asked to contribute $60 to CORE, but no one will be turned away due to inability to pay. First responders and essential workers (anyone not able to work from home) serving the community are urged to get tested regardless of symptoms.

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"First responders and other essential community support staff are the lifelines to the broader community's safety," Penn said. "This is why CORE decided to test first those for whom isolating is not an option. We are fortunate that the City of Malibu, Mayor Farrer, and City Manager Feldman and their staff are well organized and prepared to offer CORE support and partnership. Pop-up test sites do take some time to iron the wrinkles out of, but safety for both staff and those being tested is our most important priority."

"I am incredibly proud and grateful to our nonprofit partners, our local medical providers, our CERT, and other community volunteers, and our City staff for making this crucial testing possible," said Mayor Karen Farrer. "We will get through this if we come together as a community."

Testing is available from 10 to 4 p.m. Anyone who wishes to get tested is asked to pre-register at www.MalibuMedicalGroup.com though staff will also register on-site arrivals. Results are expected roughly two days later.

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