Many people waited in their cars to obtain free COVID-19 tests this morning at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown.

YOUNGSTOWN — The people who were being handed four free COVID-19 test kits for each vehicle at about 8 a.m. today at the Covelli Center said they got in line at about 5:45 a.m.

The plan was to begin handing out the free kits at 8 a.m., but police officers handling crowd control along Front and Market streets were a bit “nervous” about the backed up traffic, so the giveaway began at 7:15 a.m., Erin Bishop Youngstown health commissioner said today from her spot at the Covelli Centre handing out the kits and free hand sanitizer.

The distribution was being done by the city health department.

The end of the line was at Southern Boulevard and Lucius Avenue near St. Dominic Church, three miles away, at 8:30 a.m.