Hy-Vee Expands Locations Offering Free COVID-19 Testing

After initially offering free COVID-19 lab testing at 11 Hy-Vee pharmacies in August, the West Des Moines, Iowa-based grocer is now offering the service at 181 locations across its eight-state footprint. Hy-Vee is also seeking to hire 1,000 full- and part-time licensed pharmacy technicians across its more than 270 pharmacies as it prepares for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

On Nov. 12, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services named Hy-Vee one of its national COVID-19 vaccine providers once the vaccine becomes available. 

“Right now, there is a critical need for trained pharmacy technicians who can help support our pharmacies and patients as we prepare for the next step in battling this virus,” said Aaron Wiese, Hy-Vee’s EVP of business innovation and chief health officer. “For technicians, this is a great opportunity for them to practice at the top of their license and work for a company that offers amazing benefits, competitive wages, flexible scheduling and job advancement opportunities.”  

In partnership with eTrueNorth, Hy-Vee is offering free, contactless COVID-19 testing outside of its pharmacy locations using a drive-thru testing process at nine locations in Illinois, 84 in Iowa, seven in Kansas, 26 in Minnesota, 22 in Missouri, 21 in Nebraska, 10 in South Dakota and two in Wisconsin. A complete list of store names and addresses can be found here.    

To obtain a test, consumers must register at www.doineedacovid19test.com and select a testing site and appointment time. Through the website, consumers will receive a test voucher that they must bring to their testing appointment. Results are delivered from eTrueNorth within three to five business days.

As the coronarius pandemic wears on, Hy-Vee has taken several steps recently to help maintain the safety of its customers, including introducing an automated cleaning system that fully cleans and sanitizes shopping carts after every use and reinstating its reserved shopping hour for high-risk customers.