Austin Regional Clinic offers drive-up Covid-19 testing

Using outdoor tents, Austin Regional Clinic is establishing drive-up locations for Covid-19 testing in five locations in Austin, Cedar Park, Kyle and Round Rock this week. Conducting the testing outside “minimizes staff usage of facemasks and other personal protective equipment, which is in short supply,” according to an ARC news release. Those wishing to be tested must first obtain a lab test order from an ARC physician in the clinic or via telemedicine. You can schedule a telemedicine appointment with an ARC doctor by calling ARC’s 24/7 Covid-19 hotline at 866-453-4525. “If the doctor finds you should be tested for Covid-19, you will be directed to our nearest drive-up testing site,” Katie Henry, ARC’s chief administrative officer, said in the release. “Please, make sure you have had a telemedicine evaluation and have received a doctor’s order for testing so we can move patients through more quickly and easily.” Test results can take anywhere from two to 10 days. Testing is covered by most insurance companies and state labs are currently not charging for testing. Drive-up testing is already available at ARC’s South Austin location at 3828 S. First St., and will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning on these dates at the following locations:

• Tuesday, March 31: ARC Kyle Plum Creek, 4100 Everett St., Kyle
• Tuesday, March 31: ARC Far West, 6835 Austin Center Blvd., Austin
• Thursday, April 2: ARC Round Rock, 940 Hesters Crossing Road, Round Rock
• Thursday, April 2: ARC Cedar Park, 801 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. C, Cedar Park