COVID-19 testing site opens at Portola Hotel and Spa

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) A COVID-19 testing site opened at Portola Hotel & Spa in an effort to provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone. In collaboration with Virus Geek, Inc. testing will be available for staff, guests, and community members.

“I want to be proactive about it, even though I am fully vaccinated and be able to use this opportunity," said Justin Farrel.

Justin Farrel is one of several Portola Hotel employees who have the option of getting tested for coronavirus at work. Farrel travels often to visit family and his girlfriend is a teacher who works with kids. This is why it's important for him to continue to get tested, he said.

“I think it's even better for the community and everyone outside the hotel that comes to visit simply because they can feel reassured that everyone is getting tested or vaccinated fully and, be comfortable and confident that they're not going to get sick here," said Farrel.

Miranda Iturriaga, who lives in Marina said she has a reminder on her phone to get tested every week. Itturiaga was in the area this morning and after seeing the new testing site at Portola Hotel & Spa she decided to stop by.

“I think important, especially if tourists are leaving the area or just coming in. I think it's important for them to know for themselves," she said. "You get people coming from everywhere and everyone's touching everything.”

Portola Hotel & Spa's unvaccinated employees are required to get tested twice a week. According to Managing director Janine M. Chicourrat, it was important for testing to be available especially since many are parents whose children are exposed at schools.

“We have a lot of leisure travelers, but we also have group travelers and the groups today are requiring either vaccine cards or negative COVID tests for their events," said Chicourrat. "So to have the convenience of being able to come in and just take a test and get your results in 24 to 48 hours is huge.”

The testing center will be open from Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Peet’s Coffee location.