Walgreens adds business-focused COVID-19 testing program

In an effort to help businesses with their COVID-19 work plans and strategies, Walgreens is launching Walgreens Test & Protect. The program gives employers and their employees access to Walgreens COVID-19 sites. It also provides businesses and universities clinical guidance on preventive care, particularly immunizations. 

The program is part of the retailer’s larger efforts to expand its COVID-19 testing capacity, including an expanded capability to allow for more than 500,000 tests per month. 

“Since the onset of the pandemic, we’ve been focused on providing a safe environment for our customers and team members, and we’re proud to bring our COVID-19 testing resources and expertise to businesses as part of our latest expansion,” said Rick Gates, senior vice president of pharmacy, Walgreens. “Working closely with our lab partners, we’re also increasing testing capacity to help ensure timely results for our patients, while also improving access to testing in many communities we serve.”

Walgreens said that its efforts are designed to focus on underserved communities, with more than 70% of its testing sites currently located in areas designated as socially vulnerable by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Walgreens’ testing sites offer results within 24 to 72 hours, pending overall lab capacity. The retailer currently operates more than 220 testing sites in 49 states and Washington, D.C.