Springfield Mayor Dom Sarno is again asking Governor Baker not to forget western Mass.
The Mayor says lines for Covid Testing are so long at the regional testing facility at the Eastfield Mall that a second regional site is needed soon to relieve the strain.
The Mayor says that he also needs the National Guard to assist with the testing and other logistics.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “After being updated early Sunday morning that the Eastfield Mall regional testing site is being overwhelmed even with the Herculean efforts of AMR, our Springfield Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department the site is now temporarily turning people away.With that I have once again reached out to Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito requesting another regional testing site be opened and National Guard assistance as soon as possible to alleviate this log jam.Again, in speaking with AMR Director of Operations Patrick Leonardo, Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood and Chief of Staff Tom Ashe early this Sunday morning, as I have done before, reached out to the Governor and Lt. Governor for assistance which is essential in order to not only provide for our/my Springfield residents but also the many residents of Western Massachusetts and even Connecticut who are flocking to the Eastfield Mall regional site.I also must be respectful to the Eastfield Mall being able to conduct their own retail business aspects.I deeply appreciate Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito’s past assistance when I called, and I remain hopeful that they will respond once again appropriately.”
So far there has been no response from the Governor's Office.
(Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)