A drive-thru coronavirus testing center in one of New Jersey’s hardest-hit areas had to turn people away just hours after opening — as hordes of people worried about being infected rushed to be examined.
Authorities closed down the entrances to the testing location in Paramus at Bergen Community College by midday after opening the site at 8 a.m.
Englewood police said “maximum capacity [was] reached” just after 12:15 p.m.
In a statement to NJ.com, the governor’s office said, “Due to the overwhelming response, the site will not be accepting additional individuals today and encourages residents to return at 8 a.m. tomorrow.”
The location had around 600 tests on hand, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said at a press conference Friday afternoon.
The site was the first drive-through testing site in the state. Hundreds of cars were seen lined up at the location Friday morning.
Testing would start again Saturday morning but would only have around 350 tests available, Murphy said.
Christopher Neuwirth, an assistant health commissioner for the state, told NorthJersey.com that “it’s quite possible folks are going to have to wait a few hours.”
The state plans to open a second testing center in the parking lot of PNC Art Center in Monmouth County on Monday morning.
