Salem To Distribute Free Rapid Coronavirus Tests To Residents

SALEM, MA — Salem will begin distributing its next round of coronavirus rapid at-home tests on Saturday with a priority on students, school staff, high-risk and disproportionally impacted populations.

The remaining tests will then be available to city residents next week.

Tests will be sent to Salem Public Schools and Salem Academy Charter for distribution to students and staff in school buildings. An allocation has also been set aside for large multi-family housing sites, including Salem Heights, Loring Towers, Pequot Highlands and Salem Housing Authority properties.

Tests will also be sent to licensed childcare and daycare providers in the city, as well as the Council on Aging, the Salem Pantry, Lifebridge and tenants of the North Shore CDC/Point neighborhood housing sites.

"We urge all Salem residents to continue to keep our community safe by getting your COVID-19 vaccine and booster, which are proven to be very effective and lifesaving," North Shore Community Health President Maggie Brennan said. "Please continue masking, handwashing and social distancing to prevent this virus from spreading."

The remaining test kits — two tests per kit — will be available to residents through the Health Department as supplies allow.

General distribution will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at 401 Bridge Street and 1 to 3 p.m. at 98 Washington Street, and next Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at 401 Bridge Street and 3 to 6:30 p.m. at 135 Lafayette Street.

The same schedule will repeat from Jan. 25 to Jan. 27, as supplies allow.

Each household can receive up to two test kits (four total tests) through this next distribution period from Jan. 18 to Jan. 27.

Proof of Salem residency is required. No proof of citizenship or insurance is necessary.

Businesses subject to the city's new mask and vaccine mandates can request up to five test kits per week for their employees through the end of January by emailing health@salem.com.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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