A stock image of a COVID testing site in Tampa, Florida. Credit: Drew/Adobe

The City of Tampa, in collaboration with Nomi Health, has added two additional drive-through lanes to the COVID-19 testing site at Al Barnes Park.

The city said in a press release that the additional lanes have significantly decreased wait times at Al Barnes, located at 4602 N. Himes Ave. Wait times dropped from more than four hours in some cases earlier this week, to around 40 minutes on Thursday.

People looking for a test should be in line at Al Barnes Park by 6 p.m., when Tampa Police will close the site to the public for the day, the city said. This will ensure everyone in line by 6 p.m. will be served by 7 p.m.-7:15 p.m.

City of Tampa chart for vehicle traffic flow at Al Barnes Park’s COVID-19 testing site. Credit: City of Tampa

At the testing center at Al Lopez Park, located at 4602 N. Himes Avenue, wait times remained around 40 minutes for the past two days.

Al Lopez will remain open to the public until 7 p.m. Both sites operate seven days a week, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., with lines closing to the public at 6 p.m. at Al Barnes. Each site offers testing only, with the option for either a PCR or Rapid Antigen test.

Insurance is not required, and testing is free of charge. There are no appointments, but people looking for a test are encouraged to pre-register their information to receive their test results at tampa.gov/covid19.

The county is also offering free COVID-19 vaccinations at the West Tampa Community Resource Center, 2103 N Rome Ave.