PNC Arts Center Coronavirus Test Site To Open At 8 A.M. Monday

HOLMDEL, NJ — The PNC Bank Arts Center that will now serve as the state's second coronavirus testing site will likely open Monday at 8 a.m., according to Holmdel Mayor Greg Buontempo. The Monday morning opening was confirmed by Gov. Phil Murphy. The PNC Bank Arts Center is located right off the Garden State Parkway in Holmdel.

The testing site will be operated by the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey National Guard. Buontempo said state health workers and the National Guard were on site Friday morning, setting up, and that he was told by State Police they are aiming for an 8 a.m. opening Monday, March 23.

This will be New Jersey's second free testing site run by the state, although private testing centers are operational and dotted across the state. The first test center opened Thursday at Bergen Community College in Paramus.

"Do you know how many cars they had lined up there first thing this morning when it opened? One thousand," said Buontempo. "I am trying to prevent that from happening in Holmdel."

Buontempo said he's been working in conjunction with State Police to shut down a service road off Crawfords Corner Road that leads to the arts center. This is normally a road that is open to commuters to get on and off the Parkway. Starting Thursday, that will be closed to cars, and only open to emergency vehicles.

"The only way in and out of this testing center is from the Parkway north and south," said Buontempo. "I want Holmdel residents to know that."

Buontempo said the state health department has not worked with his town in the least, and never asked for Holmdel's consent or input in the process of opening the test site.

"We've had to play detective to get information and contact our local legislators to speak to the governor's office with our concerns about traffic," he said.

Like the Paramus site, the test center will likely be open seven days per week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In order to be eligible for testing, individuals must be current New Jersey residents and experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Priority will be given to symptomatic individuals experiencing cough, fever (99.6F or above) and shortness of breath.

Individuals who are not symptomatic will not be tested, as it diverts critical resources such as testing kits and laboratory materials from those who are ill.

Testing is free and will be covered by the federal government or personal insurance company. Individuals are encouraged to bring insurance cards if they have one.