Swampscott Adds More Free Coronavirus Testing Hours For Residents

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott residents are urged to take advantage of the free, drive-thru coronavirus testing site at First Church, which is now open six days per week for Swampscott residents.

Testing takes place Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Testing will be extended on Saturday by two hours to account for looking for tests following Thanksgiving.

There will no testing this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday due to the holiday.

"Please encourage any college students coming home from school to test to ensure a safe visit with their family," Swampscott Town Adminstrator Sean Fitzgerald said. "Also, remember, any Swampscott school children who travel outside of state must receive a negative PCR test result before they return to school."

Swampscott officials advise: "The safest way you can spend your Thanksgiving, is at home with your immediate family. If you do choose to celebrate with those outside of your immediate family, please follow these important recommendations from the CDC."

The guidelines include limiting contact with other people within 14 days of Thanksgiving, consider holding gatherings outdoors or with windows open, seat people apart indoors and wear a mask when not eating, as well as avoid buffet-style meals.

State guidelines limit all indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25 people.

Do not attend any type of gathering if anyone in your household had COVID-19 symptoms.

More information can be found here.

"Ultimately, we want to encourage everyone to stay home with your family and stay safe," Fitzgerald said. "Do not let down your guard and remember that masks are now required not just in mandatory mask zones, but in all public places."