Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced that all residents of LA County can get tested for the coronavirus for free, becoming the first major city in the U.S. to make such an offer.
"Tonight, I am proud to announce that Los Angeles will become the first major city in America to offer widescale testing to all of its residents, with or without symptoms," Garcetti said while giving his daily press briefing on Wednesday, according to Los Angeles Daily News.
“Those with symptoms will of course have the priority, but we have the capacity, I believe, to move forward with that starting tonight,” he added.
“The City of Los Angeles, in partnership with the County of Los Angeles and CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), is providing free COVID-19 testing to ALL Los Angeles County residents, whether or not you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms,” reads the city website where residents can sign up for a test.
“Priority for the same or next day testing is still given to people with symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath,” it reads. “Testing is also prioritized for certain critical front-line workers who interact with the public while working.”