Santa Clara County health officials are instituting a new wristband system at COVID-19 pop-up testing sites next week in an effort to cut down lengthy wait times.

Starting Tuesday, residents can check-in at the pop-up sites and receive a wristband for a timeslot later in the day. They can then leave the testing site and come back at the designated time. The number of wristbands handed out depends on the availability of tests so health officials encourage individuals to arrive at the pop-up sites early in the day.

Next week the county is operating three pop-up sites:

Oak Grove High School Student Center
285 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose
July 28 to July 31; 1 pm to 6 pm and August 1; 8 am to 3 pm

Santa Clara County Office of Education, San Jose Room
1290 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose
July 28 to July 31; 10 am to 3 pm

South County Annex (formerly Del Buono Elementary)
9300 Wren Ave., Gilroy
July 28 to July 31; 10 am to 3 pm.

Santa Clara County’s walk-up testing sites are free and no insurance or doctor’s note is required. Residents can also be tested even if they don’t have symptoms.

“These walk-up test centers are very popular,” Santa Clara County Testing Officer Dr. Marty Fenstersheib said in a statement announcing the new wristband system. “I encourage anyone who came in contact with someone with COVID-19 to get tested, as well as anyone who works on the frontlines in construction, supermarkets, restaurants or who regularly ride public transit.”

County officials strongly encourage individuals who do have symptoms or were in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to get tested by calling their doctor or scheduling an appointment at one of the drive-through sites. There are currently more than 50 testing sites in Santa Clara County. A complete list with hours of operation can be found here.

As of July 25, the county and its health care partners have conducted 336,547 tests. Over the last month, the 7-day average positivity rate has climbed from 2.48 percent to 3.56 percent.