The FDA said it is “not objecting” to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)’s decision to authorize certain laboratories for coronavirus testing.

FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said that the labs will interact exclusively with NYSDOH and this should help to speed up the availability of patient testing in the state as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread.

“What this action means is that labs, authorized by NYSDOH, will not engage with FDA to begin patient testing. Nor will they get an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA,” Hahn said.