[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced a new COVID-19 testing site providing up to 1,000 tests per day will open next Tuesday, Jan. 25 at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Building in Saint Paul.

Governor Walz secured the federally operated testing site in response to continued high demand for testing amid the COVID-19 case surge brought on by the Omicron variant. The site will provide nasal-swab PCR testing for all ages. It will be open daily from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., except for Tuesday, Jan. 25, when it will open at 10 a.m. It will operate through Feb. 14.

“Testing is one of our key tools against the highly contagious Omicron variant,” said Governor Walz. “All Minnesotans deserve access to free, easy, and convenient testing to ensure our communities stay safe, our children can stay in school or child care, and our essential workers can continue to provide critical services. This new site will make more tests available as we confront the current surge in cases.”

“This federal testing site will create more options for testing in the morning, which can be especially helpful for working parents, kids in school, and shift workers who may be unable to take time off in the afternoon or evening,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “All Minnesotans should have access to reliable testing, and this new site will help make that possible.”

The site will be free and open to anyone. Staff will not collect any insurance information. Appointments are highly recommended, though a small number of walk-ins will be accepted each day. To guarantee a test, register directly with the testing provider at doineedacovid19test.com or visit the state’s COVID-19 Community Testing Sites page . Appointment slots will open online on Friday afternoon.

“We’re very grateful to our federal partners for this support,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “We continue to see unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in the community, and additional testing capacity will help Minnesotans quickly get the information they need to reduce spread.”

To get tested, Minnesotans must fill out a pre-registration form and create an account with the testing provider. Lab-based PCR test results are expected within 48-72 hours. People will get an email from an address ending “@ineedacovid19test.com” when their test result is ready, and will log into their account to access them. Those without email access can call 1‐800‐635‐8611 to get their result.

The federal community testing site will be located at 395 John Ireland Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155, with free parking available in the MnDOT Building Parking Ramp F, main level, 424 Rice Street, St. Paul, MN 55155. The building is wheelchair accessible.

Recent efforts to expand testing capacity:

In January, under Governor Walz’s direction the state has taken several steps to provide more testing access as COVID-19 cases rise due to the Omicron variant:

• Allocating $40 million in funding to purchase COVID-19 rapid tests for Minnesotans;

• Establishing three new community testing sites in Anoka, Cottage Grove, and North Branch;

• Providing 1.8 million additional rapid tests to school districts to use through the spring semester; and

• Distributing 150,000 rapid tests to vulnerable communities through community partners.

Minnesotans also continue to have access to free, at-home saliva PCR tests through the state and can find testing locations at local pharmacies, clinics, and community events.

Media availability:

Photographers interested in visiting the site during a designated time on Tuesday should contact Devin Henry at devin.henry@state.mn.us.

How Minnesotans can get a COVID-19 test:

• Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s free COVID-19 Community Testing Sites .

• Order a test through the state’s free COVID-19 Test at Home program .

• Find a testing option near you through the state’s Find Testing Locations map .

In addition to testing, getting the COVID-19 vaccine and getting a booster shot is one of the best ways Minnesotan’s can help protect themselves and their loved ones from severe illness and hospitalization.

How Minnesotans can get their free shot:

• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find vaccine providers near you.

• Parents can also visit mn.gov/vaxforkids.

• Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).

• Contact your or your child’s primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.

• Walk in to or make an appointment at one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites .

• Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.

Questions about COVID-19:

• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline: 1-833-431-2053

• Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.