SAN FRANCISCO – A COVID-19 testing company has ceased operations in San Francisco after officials said an investigation found that money bills made to people tested facilitated drug-related activity.
According to a report from City Attorney David Chiu’s office, Gentech agreed to halt all virus testing operations in the city following conversations with city officials and law enforcement efforts.
“At this point, just four years into the pandemic, the public can be assured that the vast majority of testing operators in San Francisco are valid and provide a much-needed public fitness service. However, the city relies with a fitness ordinance. Make sure we have the legal team to weed out all the bad actors,” Chiu said.
Operating out of green tents, Gentech provided COVID-19, flu, and RSV testing. While officials noted issues such as a lack of personal protective equipment and adherence to fitness requirements, the sites also paid the public $5 cash for the test conducted. .
“Many evidence shops operated near open-air drug markets and the money bills appeared to facilitate drug sales and activities,” the city district attorney’s office said.
London Breed Mayor said: “It is imperative to ensure that other people have public resources for health, but we cannot allow others to use them as an opportunity to facilitate and worsen the drug crisis in our country. “streets. “
Officials from the city’s Department of Public Health and San Francisco police cracked down on the business after Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip, issued a fitness order that established minimum infection criteria and protective rules for sites collecting COVID-19, influenza, RSV, or other specimens. virus.
The fitness order also required specimen collection sites to partner with a network entity, such as a government agency, school, or physical care provider.
“Our officers worked with DPH to identify operators who violated the city’s fitness order before arresting them and seizing their property,” said Police Chief Bill Scott. “Since Gentech closed, less cash is being pumped into illicit drug markets, and the public has more priority in our downtown corridor. “
Information about COVID-19 testing in San Francisco, as well as where to locate loose or cheap tests, can be found on the city’s website.