NEW YORK _ New York opened its first drive-through coronavirus testing facility in New Rochelle on Friday.
The Westchester County city has become the epicenter of the outbreak in the state, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called "the most significant cluster" in the nation.
The facility, set up in Glen Island Park, will have six lanes for motorists and can handle 200 cars per day, according to the governor.
"It's not only faster and easier, it's also smarter and safer because you're not exposing people to a person who may be positive," Cuomo said.
New Rochelle residents will be prioritized at the new testing site, as well as "vulnerable" people. Those looking to be tested must call ahead and make an appointment.
Drivers will be swabbed by health care workers without having to leave their cars, limiting the chance for exposure.
The site is being run by Northwell Health as the state is partnering with 28 private labs to test people for COVID-19.
One lab, BioReference Laboratories, is gearing up to run 5,000 more tests per day by next week.
Cuomo said he spoke to Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday and called on the federal government to decentralize the testing process and allow individual "states to do their thing."
As of Thursday, New York reported 325 cases of the respiratory illness that has spread across the globe.
Cuomo placed part of Westchester County in a mile-wide containment zone and called in the National Guard to help distribute food to those who are under quarantine. New Rochelle announced Friday that all ten schools in its district will shut down until March 25.
The state has also banned large gatherings of 500 people or more and any event of fewer than 500 would have to reduce its capacity by 50% to help stem the spread.
