Free COVID-19 Testing (East Somerville)

United States

In partnership with local healthcare company LCG Boston, the City is opening a walk-through testing site at the Igreja Internacional da Graça de Deus (International Church of the Grace of God) in East Somerville. Enter from the rear parking lot at 72 Franklin Street (across from Glen Park). Note: it's Franklin Street NOT Franklin Avenue. The church faces Washington St. but the entrance for testing is around the corner on Franklin Street about two blocks from their 85 Washington Street address.

• No appointment required.
• Open to Somerville residents and workers with COVID symptoms or known COVID exposure. 
• First hour of the day is reserved for Senior+ Hour for seniors age 65 and older, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable persons facing barriers to access.
• Friday 1/21
  • 1 to 2 p.m.: Senior+ Hour
  •  2 to 7 p.m.: All
• Saturday 1/22
  • 10 to 11 a.m.: Senior+ Hour
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: All  
• Thursday 1/27
  • 1 to 2 p.m.: Senior+ Hour
  • 2 to 7 p.m.: All
• Friday 1/28
  •  1 to 2 p.m.: Senior+ Hour
  • 2 to 7 p.m.: All
• Saturday 1/29
  • 10 to 11 a.m.: Senior+ Hour
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: All
• Hours after 1/29 will be posted to somervillema.gov/covidtesting or available via 311.

Somerville City Hall Annex, 50 Evergreen Ave.

During the current Omicron surge, HHS has increased the number of appointments available, but we will be unable to accommodate walk-ins due to lab capacity.

• PCR testing is available for Somerville residents who are symptomatic or have a known exposure to COVID-19, regardless of insurance or immigration status. 
• Free for Somerville residents, regardless of health insurance or immigration status.
• Residents seeking a test for travel or reasons other than suspected infection or known exposure should visit an alternative location.
• Testing is available by appointment only on Tuesday, 2-4 p.m., and Thursdays 4-6 p.m. Make an appointment here or call 311 (617-666-3311) for assistance in any language.
• Appointment scheduling closes 2 hours prior to the start of the clinic.
• Test results are provided via e-mail within 24 to 48 hours.

Nearby “Stop the Spread” Sites

Please contact a site before visiting in case operations have changed.

Beth Israel Deaconess Healthcare, 1000 Broadway, Chelsea

• Free for all Massachusetts residents, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
• Walk-ins welcome. 
• Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 1:30 pm & 2:15 pm – 5:00 pm
• Sat 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Transformative Healthcare - St. Rose School, 580 Broadway, Chelsea

• Free for all Massachusetts residents, regardless of insurance or immigration status. 
• Walk-ins welcome.
• Mon-Sun 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, 79 Paris St, Boston

• Free for all people, regardless of insurance or immigration status. 
• Make an appointment by calling 617-568-4500 or online
• This site is accessible via the Maverick MBTA on the Blue Line 
• Monday - Friday 1 pm - 4:30 pm

Other COVID-19 Testing Sites 

Search for COVID-19 testing locations by zip code at mass.gov/GetTested. Note that not all sites listed are free.

How Do COVID-19 Tests Work?

Two types of tests can detect if you have an active Covid-19 infection:

• Molecular tests (such as PCR tests) detect the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes it can take longer to get your results with a molecular/PCR test than with antigen tests because samples must be sent to a lab.
• Antigen tests detect specific proteins made by the virus. These tests can usually deliver results in 15 to 30 minutes.

Other tests can detect if you have had COVID-19 in the past:

• Antibody or serology tests detect whether you previously had COVID-19 at some point in the past.
• They do not detect whether you have an active COVID-19 infection.

For more information about the different types of test and how they work, see these resources:

• FDA COVID-19 Testing Basics
• FDA COVID-19 Testing Basics Chart