Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announced new initiatives Thursday afternoon to support communities of color and slow the spread of coronavirus.
Results of COVID-19 tests show a disparate impact of the illness on communities of color, including here in Connecticut.
There are some things the city can do to help breakdown those barriers, Bronin said.
Most coronavirus testing locations prioritize offering drive through testing, including locations at Hartford Hospital and St. Francis Hospital.
However, the mayor said forty percent of residents in Connecticut lack access to a vehicle.
To help improve testing in the capital city, Hartford will start providing free transportation to COVID-19 test appointments, Bronin said. To participate, residents can call 311 to be connected with free transportation.
The city contracted with a private transportation company to provide this service and also to insure they have proper safety health protocols in place, the mayor said.
Bronin said the city is also looking to offer mobile COVID-19 testing to people who are in homeless shelters and nursing homes.
