Free COVID-19 Testing in 18 Communities Extended Through October

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced that the state’s “Stop the Spread” initiative has extended free COVID-19 testing through Oct. 31.

The testing is available in 18 high-priority communities across the Commonwealth: Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lynn, Marlborough, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Springfield, Winthrop, and Worcester.

The “Stop the Spread” initiative is a data-driven targeted effort to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities that are above the state average in total cases and positive test rates. All residents of these 18 communities, including asymptomatic individuals, are urged to get tested at one of these locations. These testing resources are open to all residents of the Commonwealth.

Residents can visit the initiative’s website at mass.gov/stopthespread to find testing locations and additional information. Residents are reminded, if they test positive for COVID-19, to answer the call when they are contacted by the Community Tracing Collaborative or their local board of health. Also, any individual who needs a safe place to isolate can call (617) 367-5150 to access an isolation and recovery site at no cost.