Snow forces some COVID-19 testing sites to close Friday

Thursday’s unpleasant weather forced a few COVID-19 community testing sites in Minnesota to close early and will keep some closed on Friday.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, sites in Albert Lea and Worthington closed at 3:30 p.m. while Morris’ site closed at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

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Any appointments after those closing times on Thursday were canceled. It’s unclear if MDH will reach out to reschedule those.

MDH said the Albert Lea, Morris and Worthington sites will remain closed all day Friday while the testing sites in Hutchinson and Mankato will also be closed on Friday.

Anyone in those areas needing a test is urged to use the state’s free at-home testing system online.

The department did announce two new temporary community testing sites on Thursday, however. One in International Falls will operate from Jan. 21-23 at the Bob Walls Memorial Union Hall. The other will operate in Rochester from Jan. 22-23 at the 318 Commons.