REBNY Members Partner with Cuomo Administration on Launch of Low-Cost Rapid Testing Centers in New York City

Commercial Property Owners Identified and Donated Space in Their Buildings to Host Some of the State’s Initial Rapid Testing Sites, with More Sites Forthcoming

NEW YORK, NY – Following Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement of the launch of the New York Forward Rapid Test Program, the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) today recognized REBNY members who played a key role in the initiative by identifying and donating space that now hosts some of the State’s new rapid testing centers.

The New York Forward Rapid Test Program, a public private partnership put forth in the Governor’s State of the State, makes low-cost rapid testing available to the public to support economic activity as the state continues to safely reopen. As the Governor announced, 11 initial sites are now open in New York City with capacity to conduct at least 5,000 tests ​per day, with additional sites opening in New York City and statewide in the coming weeks.

Three of the initial 11 rapid testing centers are located in commercial spaces that were identified and donated by REBNY members:

• 6 West 52nd Street: Space provided by Vornado Realty Trust

• 599 Lexington Avenue: Space provided by Boston Properties

• 1700 Broadway: Space provided by Rockpoint Group and Cushman & Wakefield

Numerous other REBNY members are also identifying and donating spaces that are expected to host additional sites and will be announced by the State in the coming weeks.

“Governor Cuomo’s leadership on statewide vaccination and rapid testing efforts has put New York on the path to a strong recovery. This is in part because the Governor understands how critical public private partnerships will be in successfully reopening businesses and rebuilding our statewide economy,” said REBNY President James Whelan. “REBNY and its members are proud to play a collaborative role in the New York Forward Rapid Test Program and we are working with the Cuomo Administration to expand the program and further increase access to rapid testing over the weeks to come.”

Testing at the initial New York Forward Rapid Test Program sites will be operated by BioReference Laboratories​, ​in partnership with CVS Health at certain locations, and Clarity Lab Solutions. As the Governor has stated, testing providers participating in the network must make rapid testing available for no more than $30 and provide participants with their results within 30 minutes.

The New York Forward Rapid Test Program aims to dramatically expand access to rapid testing to allow business and entertainment centers to safely re-open. The network provides an additional layer of protection and confidence as New Yorkers resume economic activity, and it anticipates future State guidance that will reduce capacity limits contingent upon screening.

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