MDH: 11 new COVID-19 testing sites open across Minnesota, Anoka location opens Monday

In order to expand access to free, no barrier COVID-19 testing, the Minnesota Department of Health has announced 11 new longer-term testing sites that are opening across the state in the coming weeks.

One in Anoka opens on Monday.

In addition to the 11 new testing sites, the COVID-19 Test at Home program is now available to all Minnesotans. This is an expansion from MDH’s pilot program, which was previously made available in 23 counties and Red Lake Nation.

3 new COVID-19 testing sites open Monday in Minnesota

All of the new testing sites, as well as the mail order program, offer COVID-19 testing to any Minnesotan who wants to be tested, whether they have symptoms or not, and does not require insurance. The sites will stay in operation until at least the end of the year to provide sustained testing capacity across the state, according to MDH.

The sites at National Guard armories will be staffed by a combination of local public health staff and members of the Minnesota National Guard. Nearly 100 members of the National Guard are being deployed to provide support with logistics, registration, check in and check out, supply management and transportation. These sites will replace the "pop-up" style of community testing events, which for the past several months would arrive in a community for two to three days of testing.

"Anoka County Public Health Department is pleased to be once again partnering with the Minnesota Department of Health at increasing COVID-19 testing capacity in our community," said Jonelle Hubbard, director of Anoka County Public Health and Environmental Services. "Our public health department will work diligently to ensure that testing will happen successfully to best serve our community."

The Anoka location is at the Anoka National Guard Armory, 408 East Main Street.

Pre-registration is required, and you can pre-register here.