On Sunday, January 16, 2022, the city of Norwalk will be distributing free rapid at-home COVID-19 tests to residents by appointment only at Veteran’s Park beginning at 9 a.m. Residents can make an appointment for a specific 15-minute time slot between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Appointments will become available beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Those who received test kits at the distribution at Calf Pasture Beach on January 4 are encouraged to not make an appointment to allow more residents to receive a test. Additionally, please only make an appointment if experiencing symptoms or have a known exposure to COVID-19. To make an appointment, visit norwalkct.org/testkit.
“I understand the frustration of not being able to find a test, and I am hopeful this distribution will help get tests into the hands of those who need them. Please only make an appointment if you are feeling sick or have been exposed to COVID-19. Please don’t make an appointment to stockpile test kits for ‘what-if’ scenarios. There is a limited supply, and we need to make sure they go to as many people as possible who need them now,” said Norwalk Mayor Harry W. Rilling. “I thank residents of their ongoing patience and for continuing to follow all COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. I am also grateful to the Norwalk Health Department Emergency Response Team volunteers and Police, Fire, and Emergency Management personnel who will be on-site for this event.”
Residents must show their appointment confirmation, as well as provide proof of residency, such as a photo ID or recent piece of mail, when arriving at Veteran’s Park. Those who arrive before or after their appointment time may be turned away. There is a limit of two iHealth at-home COVID-19 test kits per household, for a total of four tests. No masks will be available at this distribution.
Veteran’s Park will be closed to the public until 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 16. Those seeking free at-home tests must have an appointment. Vehicles should enter the park through the west side entrance closest to the Stroffolino Bridge. Two lanes of traffic will move through the park. Volunteers will place test kits directly into a vehicle. Residents should not attempt to enter Veteran’s Park early, as the gates will be locked. Those without an appointment will be turned away. Norwalk Police Officers will be on site.
This is the second mass distribution of at-home COVID-19 test kits by the city of Norwalk. On January 4, nearly 8,000 single test kits were distributed at Calf Pasture Beach to the general public. Additionally, the city distributed tests to Norwalk first responders, those in congregate living facilities, those who are at greater risk of exposure, and are the most vulnerable.
On Sunday, approximately 5,700 at-home test kits, each containing two tests, will be distributed. The number of tests distributed is the result of the allocation provided to the city by the state of Connecticut. The city of Norwalk developed an online portal for residents to share their test results directly with the Norwalk Health Department. Visit norwalkct.org/selfreport to report test results.
Additionally, the Biden-Harris Administration is requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests, so people with private health coverage can get them for free starting January 15. For more information visit hhs.gov.
For the latest news on COVID-19, including upcoming vaccine clinics and testing sites in Norwalk, visit norwalkct.org/citynews.