Officials are sending a stern message to the community: do not go to a coronavirus testing site if you don't have an appointment.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran says those who believe they should be tested should call their health care provider, which will give people guidance. She adds that there are still certain protocols on who gets tested.

Curran also advises people to reach out to the New York state Coronavirus Hotline for information.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone says he knows that some people are waiting a long time when they call, but he advises patience and putting the phone on speaker while waiting for someone to pick up.

 Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have mobile testing sites up and running.

In Nassau, people are being processed at Jones Beach. In Suffolk, Bellone says they have done more than 2,000 tests at the drive-up location at Stony Brook University.

As News 12 has reported, people need to have an appointment to be tested at both locations.

County officials say those appointments come from a doctor or through the state hotline.

They say the criteria can include having symptoms of COVID-19, having come in contact with someone who tested positive or whether someone has traveled to certain countries.

Officials say testing is key to flattening the curve.

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