A new drive-up and walk-up Covid-19 testing site opens Tuesday at the Montauk School, according to an announcement from the Montauk Chamber of Commerce.
A local business owner has donated money to set up the testing, which is free for Montauk Chamber of Commerce members and can also be accessed — though not free of charge — by other small businesses and residents of the hamlet, according to Paul Monte, president of the chamber's board.
It will operate Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Labor Day, with the first two hours of each day reserved for employees of chamber members. The phone number to make an appointment is 631-668-3705, but a business must be approved beforehand for the tests to be scheduled. Mr. Monte can be reached by email at [email protected] to obtain that approval.
"We encourage all members to take advantage of this opportunity to have their employees tested," Mr. Monte said in an announcement. "This is a critical element in ensuring the health and safety of our community, workers and visitors. The chamber expresses its deep gratitude to our generous member for making this program possible. Be safe and stay healthy!"
Private citizens and employees of businesses that are not Chamber of Commerce members "are welcome to schedule an appointment on a pay-for-service or insurance-paid basis," according to the announcement.
The location is the lower parking lot at the Montauk School, at 50 South Dorset Drive.
On Facebook, Jack Perna, the Montauk School superintendent, praised the operation. "It takes a village . . . a village like Montauk!" he said.
The Montauk Chamber of Commerce defines small businesses as those having 40 employees or less. Both full and part-time employees are eligible. One person from each business should call to schedule the appointments on behalf of his or her staff members. Everyone must wear masks at the test site, where appointments are scheduled 10 minutes apart.