MTA Launches Coronavirus Testing For Frontline Workers

NEW YORK CITY — A new coronavirus screening programs aims to protect frontline MTA workers who literally keep the New York City region moving.

Roughly 2,000 MTA employees a week can receive receive free COVID-19 tests under a voluntary program announced Tuesday by MTA officials and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The program’s rapid tests will provide results in five minutes, officials said.

“Our brave frontline transit workers risked their lives to provide New Yorkers an essential service every single day during this pandemic, and we must support them just as they have supported us," Cuomo said in a statement. "This new voluntary screening program leverages New York's nation-leading COVID testing program to help keep our frontline workers safe during this unprecedented pandemic."

The announcement came amid fears of a coronavirus “second wave” and MTA’s continued financial crisis tied to loss of ridership in the pandemic. Officials, in an effort to get straphangers back to buses and subways, have touted coronavirus safety measures and a recent study showing no link between public transit and COVID-19 outbreaks.

And a recent survey found one in four MTA workers said they have suffered a coronavirus infection.

Cuomo and other officials touted the testing program as a way to protect MTA workers. The effort’s first phase will have on-site testing in “field sites” — bus depots, subway and railroad train yards — that sit in coronavirus hot spot areas, a release states.

Additional testing will be offered at medical assessment centers, occupational health services facilities and Northwell Health-GoHealth urgent cares, officials said.

This article originally appeared on the New York City Patch