Testing guidelines
- Pooled Testing - Frequently Asked Questions, update June 14, 2021
- Standing Order for Dispensing Over-the-Counter (OTC) Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2, pursuant to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-06, issued January 14, 2022.
BinaxNOW Antigen tests are rapid antigen tests which can be performed at point-of-care to supplement molecular testing and help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more:
Guidance for municipal leaders
The Command Center has developed a guidance for municipal leaders looking to establish testing programs in their communities.
Guidance for laboratories
The Department of Public Health (DPH) has outlined guidance for clinical laboratories regarding COVID-19, specimen collection, testing, and submission to the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory: COVID-19 Guidance: Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory FAQ PDF | Doc
Guidance for on-site testing locations
To all healthcare sites or facilities that are currently performing or planning to perform COVID-19 testing on-site: please be aware that this is a notifiable disease and results must be reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health within 24 hours. Contact ImmediateDiseaseReporting@mass.gov at the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences for assistance.
What to report:
- Tests for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a clinical specimen using molecular amplification detection (all positive, negative, equivocal results should be reported); or
- Tests for SARS-CoV-2 antigen in a clinical specimen (only positive results need to be reported); or
- Tests for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in serum, plasma, or whole blood(only positive results need to be reported)
Guidance for long-term care facilities
Long-term care facilities engage in surveillance testing as outlined in guidance.
- DPH Guidance, June 10, 2022: Updates to Long-Term Care Surveillance Testing
- This document replaces the September 24, 2021, August 4, 2021, May 5, 2021, March 12, December 7, November 23, October 5, August 27, August 17 and July 1 memorandums.
- Request form for outbreak testing: Long-term Care Facility Resource Request Form for BinaxNOW
- Abbott BinaxNOW Product Expiration Extension (January 2022)
Guidance for congregate care surveillance testing
On September 9, 2022, EOHHS issued revised surveillance testing guidance that is effective October 3, 2022 for organizations that operate residential congregate care programs, veteran’s shelters, and residential schools:
- EOHHS Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance - September 9, 2022
- This guidance replaces the July 1, 2022, August 4, 2021, May 12, 2021 and March 22, 2021 guidance
- COVID-19 Self-Test at Home Instructions Graphic | Mass.gov
Guidance for schools
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Department of Public Health (DPH), and the Command Center have developed guidance for schools looking to establish pooled and/or symptomatic testing:
Asymptomatic testing guidance
If your lab partner or existing supplier is not able to provide you with sufficient test kits to maximize daily capacity, you can request kits (swabs and transport media) from the Department of Public Health by filling out this form: Resource Request Form for Testing Supplies and submitting it via email to your Regional HMCC. Regional HMCC contact info can be found on Learn about HMCC. Please consult with your lab before requesting kits to ensure you request the proper supplies.
Testing supplies
For swab and medium testing supplies, Fill out and download the testing supplies request form and submit it via email to your Regional HMCC.
Additional resources:
- What you need to know about testing for COVID-19 in Massachusetts
- Visit Find a COVID-19 Test to search testing sites
Testing options for Entities
Entities include employers, long-term care and assisted living residences, homeless shelters, etc.
Individuals who have a COVID-19 symptom or are a close contact of an individual who is COVID-19 positive should be tested. This testing should be covered by insurance. Please visit our Find a COVID-19 Test locator to find a convenient testing site.
Some entities, such as employers or long-term care and assisted living residences, may wish to make testing available for asymptomatic individuals with no known exposure. This type of testing is unlikely to be covered by insurance and will need to be paid for privately. Many community health centers (CHCs) and local hospitals (listed above under “Testing Sites”) are providing this kind of testing. In addition, the providers below have indicated that they offer this type of testing. Please check the boxes below and click “Search” to determine which provider(s) may fit your needs. When your results are shown, click the name of the provider to see more information about them and how to contact them.
Testing at Independent Senior Housing: Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
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