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More COVID-19 Tests for Florida Ag Workers

Ernie NeffCOVID-19, Labor

COVID-19

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced updates to COVID-19 testing sites in Hendry, Miami-Dade, Collier and St. Lucie counties for farmworkers. The effort to provide access to no-cost testing for farmworkers is part of a partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and county governments. 

Testing services will continue as funding, demand and availability allow. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried announced the testing partnership’s launch on Oct. 1. Earlier this year, Fried recommended to Gov. Ron DeSantis that farmworkers be provided with COVID-19 testing to help reduce the virus’ spread among workers and in the community.

COVID-19 testing will be free for employers, farmworkers and their families. Testing sites will be open for walk-up services and appointments, and mobile testing for groups may be available in certain counties. Individuals will be required to wear face masks and provide name, date of birth and phone number. Results will generally be available in 36 hours, and will be shared with the individual tested or someone they designate.

A printable flyer for the testing program may be downloaded here in Englishhere in Spanish, and here in Creole.

Information about current testing sites is as follows:

Hendry County — LaBelle
Date: Nov. 16
Time: 9 a.m to 11 a.m.
Location: Hendry County Health Department, 1140 Pratt Blvd., LaBelle

Hendry County — Clewiston
Date: Nov. 19
Time: 9 a.m to 11 a.m.
Location: Hendry County Health Department, 1100 S. Olympia, Clewiston

St. Lucie County — Fort Pierce
Dates: Nov. 17-19
Times: 11 a.m to 8 p.m.
Location: St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, 15601 W. Midway Rd., Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Questions: 772-462-1660

Miami-Dade County — Homestead
Dates: Nov. 14 and 21, Dec. 5
Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Centro Campesino, 35801 SW 186th Ave., Homestead, FL 33034
Questions: 786-746-7887

Collier County — Immokalee
Date: Nov. 14
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Farm Workers Village, 1800 Farm Worker Way, Immokalee, FL 34142

Collier County — Immokalee
Date: Nov. 17
Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Immokalee South Park, 418 School Dr., Immokalee, FL 34142

Collier County — Immokalee
Date: Nov. 21
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Little League Park, 1213 Little League Rd., Immokalee, FL 34142

Collier County — Immokalee
Date: Nov. 24
Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Misión Peniel, 208 Boston Ave., Immokalee, FL 34142

Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

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