STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that Staten Island will be first in the five boroughs to receive a drive-thru testing site.
The governor did not offer specifics on where and when the testing will begin. Testing will require an appointment.
“Staten Island does not have an abundance of hospitals. Staten Island is a community where people drive,” Cuomo said. “I believe this is going to make a difference.”
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Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) said he had pitched the idea to Cuomo over the weekend. Cuomo said the testing at the state’s site in New Rochelle has taken less than 15 minutes.
Rose said testing expansion, particularly at the Island’s hospitals has been a top priority for his office throughout the virus’ outbreak. Cuomo also credited State Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) for working with his office in the effort.
“It’s critical to expand testing in a manner that doesn’t overwhelm hospitals and healthcare providers," Rose said. “Drive-thru testing is a proven way to do that and I thank the governor for working with us to make Staten Island be the first site and the city.”
In addition to the state’s restaurant and bar closures, gyms, movie theaters, and casinos have been shuttered by the state in regional coordination with Connecticut and New Jersey. The bans, which also include limits of 50 people gatherings, go into effect at 8 p.m. Monday.
“This is a national problem and we need federal leadership,” Cuomo said calling on President Trump’s administration to take a more active role. “It cannot be done in a piecemeal method.”
Temporary rule changes with the state liquor authorities will allow bars and restaurants to sell their products off-premises in an effort to ease economic hardship, according to Cuomo.
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