The Mayor's Corner

Free Coronavirus Testing Sites in Ouachita Parish

I am pleased to inform you that FREE mobile testing for the Coronavirus will be available to residents in Monroe/Ouachita Parish beginning Monday, May 18. Starting next week, and over a four-week period, in Ouachita Parish, we are utilizing the parking lots of local churches, schools, and recreation centers to provide our residents with free mobile testing for the Coronavirus.

Governor John Bel Edwards has repeatedly said the availability of more testing is key to us being able to move into PHASE ONE of reopening the State of Louisiana. The City of Monroe has worked with Ouachita Parish Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, the City of West Monroe, Ouachita Parish Police Jury and leaders throughout Region 8 to finalize plans for mobile testing sites for our residents.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE TESTING? You must be 18-years of age or older, and a Louisiana resident with a valid ID. You do not have to be sick or have symptoms.

At each location, the mobile testing will be Monday thru Friday beginning at 8 am until 11am (or until supplies run out). Medical officials will administer 50 free tests per location each day.

The MOBILE TESTING LOCATIONS for the Week of May 18 thru 22 are: Monday (5/18) at First Baptist Church in Calhoun, 2981 U.S. Highway 80; Tuesday (5/19) at Saul Adler Community Center, 3900 Westminster Ave.; Wednesday (5/20) at West Monroe Recreation Center, 1802 North 7th Street; Thursday (5/21) at North Monroe Baptist Church, 210 Finks Hideaway Road; and, Friday (5/22) at Marbles Community Center, 2950 Renwick Street.

I will share each upcoming week’s list of distribution site for the next four weeks. You can also get this information by calling 2-1-1 OR by texting NELAFRIENDS to 898-211. As we move into Phase One, we all need to wear a mask when in public. If you don’t have a mask, make one at home. You wearing a mask protects me, and my wearing a mask protects you. We still need to wash our hands and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Continue preaching to your friends, children, relatives, and co-workers who are not taking these recommendations seriously. We don’t have a vaccine. So, we must embrace the “new normal” that we are in.

Monroe is One City, with One Future. We are ALL in this together!