Shipping Delays Could Impact Distribution Of COVID-19 Test Kits

GREENWICH, CT — On Wednesday, the town of Greenwich announced plans to distribute about 8,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits on Thursday afternoon.

However, Gov. Ned Lamont later said that shipping delays to Connecticut could impact those plans.

According to Capt. Mark Zuccerella of the Greenwich Police Department, the town won't know if the state received its shipment of test kits from the West Coast until 5 a.m. Thursday. If the shipment comes in, Zuccerella said plans will go on as scheduled.

"Due to shipping and warehouse delays outside of the State of Connecticut’s control, our state’s anticipated shipment of COVID-19 at-home rapid tests are currently delayed from arriving in Connecticut," Lamont said in a news release Wednesday. "My staff and multiple state agencies have spent the past several days working around the clock to accelerate the movement of our tests through what is clearly a shipping and distribution bottleneck on the West Coast amid unprecedented international demand for tests."

Lamont said his administration is in regular communication with city and town leaders on the matter. He thanked the Department of Administrative Services, the Department of Public Health, the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and the Connecticut National Guard for their work on getting the tests delivered.

First Selectman Fred Camillo told residents to stand-by, and more information will be announced when it becomes available.

Greenwich said priority in this first distribution phase will be given to those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and the elderly population.

The plan is to give out two kits (four tests total) per household to residents Thursday afternoon from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at two drive-through locations, while supplies last.

For this first come, first-served distribution, all drivers and passengers must remain in their vehicles and wear a face mask at all times.

The pick-up locations are:

• The Greenwich Senior Center via the rear entrance on Bruce Place for town residents who are at least 60 years old.
• Grass Island Park, Shore Road.

All participants will be required to show proof of residency via a valid Connecticut driver’s license or a 2021 Greenwich parks pass.