Free COVID-19 tests will continue to be available daily at San Diego County sites during the holidays, although the hours will be shorter on certain days and there will be fewer openings.
The sites will operate on a regular schedule on Christmas Eve and December 31, each closing at 4 p.m.
Three sites – University of San Diego, Cal State University San Marcos and County Fire-Rancho San Diego Monte Vista headquarters, El Cajon – will be open from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm on Christmas Day.
Five sites – the Tubman-Chávez Community Center in San Diego, the Lemon Grove Community Center, the USD site in Linda Vista, the Imperial Beach Sports Park Recreation Center, and the Linda Rhodes Recreation Center in Vista – will be open. from 10 am to 5:30 pm on New Years Day.
Test sites do not require an appointment. However, almost all COVID-19 testing sites have been converted to rendezvous only locations, due to safety concerns caused by traffic delays. Appointments are accepted up to three days in advance, and new appointments are available each day at noon.
Sites operated by the San Diego County Fire Protection District are the exception to testing by car appointment only. While dating is highly recommended, and people with them are preferred, walk-ins will be tested as capacity allows.
“With the vaccine being distributed in its earliest stage, COVID-19 testing remains extremely important in protecting public health,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer, in a statement. “People who experience any symptoms, or who feel they have been exposed, are encouraged to get tested quickly. Those with symptoms must isolate themselves until results are obtained, while others must adhere to the best practices of wearing a mask, social distancing and good hygiene.
Demand for tests during the holidays is expected to be high, and wait times at visiting venues will sometimes exceed one hour. For details on test locations, or to make an appointment at a driving site, visit 211sandiego.org or call 2-1-1.
Some testing sites also offer walk-in flu vaccination clinics at no cost. Are:
- Tubman Chávez Community Center, 415 Euclid Ave., San Diego: 9:30 am to 4 pm on Sundays.
- Imperial Beach Sports Park Recreation Center, 425 Imperial Beach Blvd., Imperial Beach: 9:30 am to 4 pm every other Saturday. The next clinic is December 26th.
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Live Well Mobile Office), 525 W. Vista Way, Vista: 9:30 am to 4 pm every other Tuesday. The next clinic is December 29th.
There are free flu clinics throughout the week and new ones are added regularly. Find more at sandiegocounty.gov as well as in 211sandiego.org.
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