Murphy Corrects: Coronavirus Test Sites Not Open To Asymptomatic

Freehold NJ

22 April, 2020

3:08 PM

Description

FREEHOLD, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy corrected the record and apologized on Wednesday, saying the announcement that two state testing sites will be open to those who are asymptomatic was incorrect. Murphy said the state needs a federal waiver to make that change because it has a parntership with FEMA at those sites, and New Jersey hasn't gotten it yet. "We may have given an impression on that that is innocently not where the facts are," Murphy said. The change in requirements was first announced Wednesday by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and it applied to the testing sites at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and the Bergen Community College. Testing still remains restricted to New Jersey residents. Murphy said that testing asymptomatic residents is still a goal. "We have to be able to test a broader population not just symptomatic folks, and we need to have a rapid return test," he said during a Wednesday news conference. Don't miss local and New Jersey announcements about coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know Have a news tip? Email [email protected] Follow Freehold Patch on Facebook.