On Friday, Odyssey House Louisiana (OHL) announced that they will open their drive-through testing site for bike riders in order to help meet community need.
Message from @odysseyhousela:
OHL will be offering COVID-19 testing to bicyclists via our drive thru testing site. If you are displaying symptoms, come get tested! @nolaready @iprevent_ohl #covidtesting #bicyclelife #coronavirus #covid19 #NewOrleans #NOLA @nolaready @311nola pic.twitter.com/el9WL3WnpM— Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell) March 27, 2020
Those wishing to get tested can visit the OHL testing site at 2700 S. Broad Ave. Monday-Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Testing will be offered to symptomatic individuals on a first-come, first-served basis.
This is an important change for the city, as it’s estimated that one in five New Orleans households don’t have access to a car. This severely limited testing access across the city for those without a vehicle. Initially, those without a vehicle had been told they would be able to access drive-through sites on a bicycle, but that was later retracted.
Jenn Bentley is a freelance journalist based in New Orleans specializing in politics and social justice issues. In 2019, she was given the title of “Most Fearless” by The Bayou Brief. Follow her on Twitter: @JennBentley_
