Nov 13, 2020

UF/IFAS, FDACS spread word on COVID-19 testing to Florida ag workers

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) encourage as many agricultural workers as possible to be tested for COVID-19.

Farmworkers will have access to numerous no-cost COVID-19 testing events in some of Florida’s top agricultural counties. Below is a list of upcoming sites. Support for these tests is provided in part by FDACS, FDEM and county governments. Testing services will continue as funding, demand and availability allow.

Click on the following link to hear and download the PSA: Spanish-Language Radio PSA.  Covid19 remains a great threat in our communities and in these times of uncertainty, keeping our families healthy is important.

FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the testing partnership’s launch on Oct. 1. Earlier this year, Fried recommended to the governor that farmworkers be provided with COVID-19 testing to help reduce the virus’ spread among workers and in the community.

Here are the times, dates and addresses of the places to get tested:

Hillsborough County 

San Jose Mission (migrant labor camp), 13524 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Dover

Dates: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Times: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Wednesdays and Thursdays), 10 a.m. to noon (Saturdays)

Miami-Dade County 

Centro Campesino, 35801 SW 186^th Ave., Homestead

Dates:  November 14 and 21, and December 5
Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Lucie County 

St. Lucie County Fairgrounds – 15601 Midway Road, Fort Pierce

Dates:  November 17,18, 19

Times:  11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Collier County

• 3339 East Tamiami Trail, Naples

Monday – Friday – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please call 239-252-6220.

• Winn Dixie Mall, Immokalee.

Monday to Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Walk-up at the Winn Dixie Mall, Sundays and Mondays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please call 239-252-6220.

• Testing at Sun-N-Fun Lagoon: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples.

Wednesdays and Fridays — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Immokalee Mobile Unit: Tuesday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

November 17, South Park, 418 School Drive.

November 24, Mission Peniel, 208 Boston Avenue

• For more information: To find free test sites in your area, call the department of agriculture and consumer services at 1-800-HELP-FLA, and for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (1-800-352-9832).

– Brad Buck and Lourdes Rodriguez, University of Florida

Workers pick lettuce while using safety partitions. Photo: University of Florida