Governor Charlie Baker’s Officer announced on Wednesday, September 23, that the “Stop the Spread” initiative will continue to October 31.
The initiative provides free COVID-19 testing in 18 communities in Massachusetts, including Worcester.
The other communities are Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lynn, Marlborough, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Springfield and Winthrop.
Several state agencies have urged all residents of those 18 communities, regardless of symptoms, to get tested at a designated location. All residents of Massachusetts are eligible for testing.
The initiative is data driven and targets communities above the state average in total cases and positive test rates.
“Stop the Spread” began in July and first scheduled to end on August 12. The state extended the program multiple times.