Sean Penn’s Nonprofit “CORE” Offers Free Coronavirus COVID-19 Testing for Essential Workers - Malibu

Tuesday, April 6, 2020

On Monday (April 5) actor and philanthropist Sean Penn’s global non-profit; Community Organized Relief Effort - CORE and the City of Malibu are offering free drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the Malibu City Hall for essential workers and first responders on Monday (April 6) and Tuesday (April 7.)

Drive-Thru COVID-19 testing set up by Sean Penn's non-profit CORE

The Academy Award-winning actor alongside his two adult children and girlfriend, Leila George, were among the many staff volunteers helping on the front-lines of the many Covid-19 drive-thru testing sites set up by CORE.

Sean Penn at the CORE cornavirus COVID-19 drive-thru test site in Brentwood, Los Angeles on Sunday, April 4, 2020

The non-profit has launched multiple drive-thru sites throughout Los Angeles in the past weeks while the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow. 

“This excellent partnership with CORE that will provide crucial coronavirus testing service for our first responders and community members is a perfect example of how government agencies, community-based organizations and volunteers can combine forces to meet this crisis,” Mayor Karen Farrer said. “I am very grateful to CORE’s founder, Malibu resident Sean Penn, for this effort and I am proud and inspired to see the outpouring of support and resources from community-based organizations, volunteers, professionals and regular people at every level.”

Pre-registered patients will be tested by using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -approved nasal swab with an expected two-day turnaround for results. Dr. Lisa Benya, who runs Malibu Medical Group, is serving as the lead doctor. The site will be available for community members from Wednesday (April 8) through Saturday (April 11) from 10AM to 4PM. Community testing requires medical insurance for individuals who present COVID-19 symptoms.  The COVID Clinic, a non-profit organization led by Dr. Matthew Abinante of Elevated Health in Huntington Beach, will conduct the testing. The city of Malibu has a large senior community and does not have a hospital.  Testing site: Malibu City Hall, upper parking lot 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265 Pre-registration:  To pre-register, visit https://covidclinic.org/core or text or call 310-853-1454, or email info@covidclinic.org.