Gov. Larry Hogan issued an emergency order authorizing the state’s hundreds of licensed pharmacists to directly order and administer COVID-19 tests. Additionally, he directed the Maryland Department of Health to allow appointment-free testing at some VEIP stations throughout the state starting Thursday, May 21.

Drive-thru, appointment-free testing will be available beginning on Thursday, May 21, at the Timonium Fairgrounds in Baltimore County and continue Friday, May 22, at the Glen Burnie VEIP site in Anne Arundel County, as well as the Hyattsville VEIP station in Prince George’s County. Testing will become available at the Clinton VEIP site next week.

People who suspect that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, even if they are not yet symptomatic, can access a test at one of these sites without a prior doctor’s order or a scheduled appointment. Testing will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost.

Hogan has issued an emergency order authorizing the state’s pharmacists to directly order COVID-19 tests. Additionally, the order authorizes pharmacies to collect specimens for COVID-19 tests onsite, if it is carried out safely by qualified personnel in accordance with all CDC guidance. Pharmacists must adhere to all test result reporting requirements. This order coincides with new federal guidelines expanding options to pay for pharmacists to offer COVID-19 tests for Medicare beneficiaries.

To read the order, go to https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Pharmacist-Testing-5.19.20.pdf.