Coronavirus Testing Site Opens At Rhode Island Convention Center

PROVIDENCE, RI — A coronavirus testing site is now open at the Rhode Island Convention Center, replacing the test site at Rhode Island College.

The site is in the building's garage, allowing it to operate even in inclement weather.

Testing ended at RIC on Monday, and the site at the Community College of Rhode Island will be phased out soon, the Rhode Island Department of Health said.

The convention center site is drive-up. The access road from West Exchange Street to Sabin Streets has been restricted for test site use and emergency vehicles only. Because of the low clearance, trailers, RVs and other oversized vehicles cannot be accommodated.

Tests are available by appointment only, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. People with symptoms and certain asymptomatic people can get tested at the site. Those with symptoms are asked to call their primary care provider for a test, while close-contact Rhode Islanders without symptoms, such as salon workers, first responders and gym employees, can schedule a test online. Tests are also available to certain residents who recently traveled to a place with a high positivity rate.

Although the two college sites are closing, the new site will increase testing capacity. The CCRI and RIC sites could handle 600 tests per day, each, while the new site can handle 1,500 tests per day.