Quirino Grandstand drive-thru virus testing center gets over 700 applicants a day

Authorities manning the drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila implemented an early cutoff on July 22 for those who intend to avail of the free rapid test.

As of 7 a.m., arriving vehicles were no longer accommodated in the queue after the 700-person count was already reached, according to a report by GMA News' Unang Balita.

Those intending to line up on Wednesday after the cutoff were advised to go to the other drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility at the Andres Bonifacio Shrine (Kartilya ng Katipunan) near the Manila City Hall, or just come back to Quirino Grandstand on another day.

As in previous days ever since the Quirino Grandstand facility was opened by the Manila city government, vehicles queued up as early as the night before. 

The line of vehicles on Wednesday morning stretched from Katigbak Drive to Roxas Boulevard.

Motorists brought meals to sustain them during the long wait, as the drive-thru testing facility will start operations at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said the continued long lines at the city government's free COVID-19 testing facilities at Quirino Grandstand, Andres Bonifacio Shrine and the Ospital ng Sampaloc just goes to show that people are willing to undergo tests if these are just made accessible to them.

Moreno also appealed for donations of reagents to sustain the free COVID-19 testing for Manila residents and even non-residents.

The city government said it is planning to open more walk-in COVID-19 testing facilities aside from the one in Ospital ng Sampaloc.

It is eyeing these locations: Ospital ng Maynila, Ospital ng Tondo, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital and Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center.