News Release
May 20, 2021
Mankato COVID-19 testing site relocating to Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center
Site will offer no-cost saliva testing to everyone
Today, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced the Mankato community testing site currently located at the former Gander Mountain will be moving to Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center located at 1 Civic Center Plaza in Mankato. The last day of testing at the former Gander Mountain site is Sunday, May 23. Testing at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center will begin on Monday, June 7. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are also encouraged but not required.
“Even as we continue to make progress on vaccinations, testing remains a key component of our strategy to protect Minnesotans from COVID-19,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “Through a robust, collaborative statewide testing program, we removed many obstacles to testing as we bridged the gap between a time before vaccines and today. When combined with social distancing, masking, avoiding crowds and staying home when sick, testing can help us slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Minnesotans under 12 and those who aren’t fully vaccinated yet as we continue to get as many folks vaccinated as possible.”
As with all the state’s community testing sites, testing at the Mankato site is offered at no cost. Participants will be asked for their health insurance information so the state can bill their insurance company on their behalf. If a person is uninsured or if insurance doesn’t cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference so testing remains open to all at no cost.
Testing is open to anyone who believes they need a COVID-19 test, with or without insurance. State guidance on who should get tested can be found on the Minnesota COVID-19 Response webpage: Who Should Get Tested?.
Those who arrive for a test should avoid eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking anything for at least 30 minutes before providing a sample. Once they arrive at the location, they will self-administer the test by salivating into a funnel attached to a small tube. Clinic staff will be available on-site to monitor the collection process.
While walk-ins are welcome, people seeking testing at the Mankato site can schedule a test online [link expired]. Tests will be processed in Minnesota at the saliva lab in Oakdale. Results will be provided via email in approximately 48-72 hours.
Testing Site Location:
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center
1 Civic Center Plaza
Mankato, MN 56001
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday (beginning June 7)
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
How Minnesotans Can Get a COVID-19 Test:
- Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s no-cost community testing sites across Minnesota.
- Order a test through the state’s at-home COVID-19 testing program [program expired].
- Find a testing option near you through the state’s Find Testing Locations map.
How Minnesotans Can Get their Shot:
- Walk in or make an appointment through the [expired link] Vaccine Connector at one of the state’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program locations.
- Appointment hotline: 833-431-2053, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you.
- Check for vaccine appointments using the Vaccine Finder at Vaccines.gov. You can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
- Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
- Employers may also reach out with information about vaccination opportunities.
-MDH-
Minnesota Helpline:
For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504.
Mental Health Crisis Line - Call: **CRISIS (**274747)