COVID-19 tests are now being sold at liquor stores - and that's a concern for some
By: ANNMARIE TIMMINS
With the omicron variant persisting and at-home rapid COVID-19 tests in short supply, the state opened access Friday to 500,000 tests thanks to $12 million in federal pandemic money. When those are gone, it will restock.
But unlike the 1.55 million tests it gave away for free via websites in November and December, and free tests coming to pharmacies for Medicare recipients, these tests will cost $11.29, – a bit more than at retail pharmacies – when they are in stock. And they’ll be available only at the state’s 67 liquor stores and nine Doorway locations, sites that help people in crisis seeking help with substance misuse. The cost includes an administrative fee of 4 cents per test from the liquor store.
