Free COVID Test Site Opens at SF’s Alemany Farmers’ Market
San Francisco Reallocates Testing Resources to Serve Neighborhoods Most Impacted by COVID-19
Beginning on Tuesday, November 17, the City will offer free, low-barrier testing fives day week at Alemany Farmer’s Market
Mayor London N. Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax today announced the CityTestSF COVID-19 testing site at the Alemany Farmer’s Market will open Tuesday, November 17. CityTestSF resources are being reallocated from the SoMa testing site to the Alemany Farmer’s Market as part of the City’s strategic testing program.
The new site at 1000Alemany Boulevard accepts walk-ins and appointments.
The previous test site in SoMa at 600 7th Street is being closed down.
See all 12 free COVID-19 test sites in San Francisco (updated 11/16/20)
CityTestSF at Alemany Farmer’s Market will operate five days a week with the capacity to test as many as 500 people a day, which is the same testing capacity previously provided at the SoMa site. The City’s testing program is designed to serve the populations and neighborhoods that are most highly impacted by the virus. The southeast sector of San Francisco carries a disproportionate virus burden and the reallocation of these 500 tests to that part of the city is a critical component for fighting the spread of the virus.
Since the onset of the pandemic, San Francisco moved quickly and aggressively to establish a robust public COVID-19 testing program, with partners Color and Carbon Health. San Francisco currently tests more than 5,800 people each day, which is the highest rate among Bay Area counties. In addition to the two CityTestSF sites, the City continues to provide testing in the neighborhoods and for the populations most impacted by the virus. Through pop-up community testing sites, in partnership with community organizations and Color, the City has served two neighborhoods a day with testing resources. Additionally, the Department of Public Health has expanded testing at its community clinics and has partnered with the state on a testing site at the City College Bayview campus.
The collaboration with Color and Carbon Health has enabled the City to quickly stand up testing sites where they are needed most, streamline scheduling and sample collection, distribute and track test kits, and efficiently return results to individuals and the Department of Public Health. Color has helped San Francisco become a national leader in turnaround time with 86% of results returned in less than 24 hours and 99% in less than 48 hours.
San Francisco has the highest testing rate per capita of any other city in the United States. The City currently administers and funds 55 percent of all COVID-19 tests conducted in San Francisco, with the intention of testing people most at risk for COVID‑19. CityTestSF prioritizes testing for essential workers and residents who have symptoms or who have been exposed to the virus. If you have insurance, schedule a test with your doctor.
During this current surge, city resources will not support testing for travel or visitations. Tests are set aside for essential workers, close contacts identified through contract tracing, and for the City’s first responders. Appointments are released on a rolling basis.
About the New Test Site
The Alemany CityTestSF low-barrier testing facility, located on 100 Alemany Boulevard, will provide COVID-19 testing five days per week, with both walk-through and drive-through tests.
Appointments can be scheduled online at sf.gov/gettestedsf and residents or essential workers without appointments are welcome.
Hours
- Monday: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Testing is a part of the City’s COVID-19 response, but every San Franciscan must also focus on prevention. The most important things that every person can do to slow the spread of the virus are: wear a face covering outside their homes; avoid gathering with people outside your household; continue to stay home as much as possible; stay six feet apart from others when not home; and always wash hands frequently.
If you have symptoms or have been exposed, you should get tested. If you have insurance, call your doctor first. For more information on testing options, please visit: sf.gov/gettestedsf.
