BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Governor Asa Hutchinson announced Wednesday that the state of Arkansas has entered into a partnership with Walmart and Quest Diagnostics to open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site for healthcare workers.
The pilot project in Benton County will be focused on first responders and healthcare workers who display symptoms, the governor said.
“This will put a focal point on them to make sure they have immediate access to testing if they need it,” Hutchinson said.
The governor said there will be an app available for those workers to determine if they have the symptoms that meet the need for testing.
“Walmart wanted to be able to bring one of their pilot projects here to Arkansas,” he said.
Hutchinson said the project will likely be expanded to other parts of the state.
Below is a statement from Walmart:
We remain committed to supporting government efforts to expand COVID-19 drive-thru testing. We have learned a lot from the two sites in Chicago and will be opening a third pilot site early next week to test a new site layout and operational needs. We are working with the state of Arkansas and Quest Diagnostics to support the site and will test only first responders and healthcare workers who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. In the coming weeks, we anticipate supporting additional drive-thru testing sites in areas where state and local officials have identified a need and requested support.
Walmart Spokesperson
Below is a statement from Quest:
At Quest we remain committed to supporting efforts to expand COVID-19 drive-thru testing. We are pleased to work with Walmart to support the site in Bentonville and will test only first responders and healthcare workers who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. In the coming weeks, we anticipate supporting additional drive-thru testing sites in areas where state and local officials have identified a need and requested support.
Quest Spokesperson