MDH adding semi-permanent COVID-19 saliva testing sites in Minneapolis, Lino Lakes

The Minnesota Department of Health said Friday that it is adding two more semi-permanent COVID-19 saliva testing sites in Minneapolis and Lino Lakes.

The sites will be free testing for all, and no insurance is needed. Testing at the Minneapolis site starts Sept. 8; testing at the Lino Lakes site starts Sept. 13.

“As more and more Minnesotans get vaccinated, testing remains a critical component of our strategy to protect our communities from COVID-19,” MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. "Combined with social distancing, masking, and staying home when sick, testing can help us slow the spread of the Delta variant as we continue our work to boost vaccinations across Minnesota.”

According to MDH, demand for COVID-19 testing has increased due to the highly contagious delta variant.

Vaccinations and testing will be especially important to help slow the spread of COVID-19 with the school year getting back into session and as the weather starts to cool off and more people congregate inside, MDH says.

Last week, the department opened saliva testing sites in Bloomington and St. Paul, and officials say they’ll continue to add more based on demand. Saliva testing sites in Brooklyn Park and at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport have remained open.

Walk-ins are welcome at all saliva testing sites or you can schedule an appointment online. People getting tested are required to not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for 30 minutes prior to taking the saliva test.

More details on the new testing sites can be found below.

Lino Lakes saliva testing site:

• Location: 7690 Village Dr. (former YMCA).
• Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Opens on Sept. 13.

Minneapolis saliva testing site:

• Location: Minneapolis Convention Center (1301 Second Ave S).
• Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Opens on Sept. 8.

Find all saliva testing sites around the state here. Minnesotans can also still order free at-home saliva testing.