On Friday, state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced additional COVID-19 testing sites in Miami-Dade, Hendry and St. Lucie Counties for farmworkers as the fall harvest season begins.
The ongoing efforts to provide access to testing for farmworkers is part of a partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), and local county governments.
“As the pandemic continues, we’re continuing our work to provide farmworkers with access to COVID-19 testing,” Fried said on Friday. “FDACS is proud to partner with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, UF/IFAS, and local governments to provide COVID-19 testing and resources to protect farmworkers and our state’s food supply. We’re also appreciative of the important work that county governments, like Collier County, are engaging in to protect agricultural workers in their community.”
Farmworkers will have access to numerous no-cost COVID-19 testing events in some of Florida’s top agricultural counties. Support for these tests is provided in part by FDACS, FDEM, and county governments. Testing services will continue as funding, demand, and availability allow. Fried announced the testing partnership’s launch on October 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.
Additional Testing Sites:
St. Lucie County — Fort Pierce
Dates: November 17-19
Times: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Location: St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, 15601 W. Midway Rd., Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Questions: (772) 462-1660
Hendry County — Clewiston
Dates: November 9
Times: 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Hendry County Health Department, 1100 South Olympia Ave., Clewiston, FL 33440
Hendry County — LaBelle
Dates: November 9
Times: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Barron Library, 461 N. Main St., LaBelle, FL 33935
Hendry County — Moore Haven
Dates: November 10
Times: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Location: 998 US 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471
Miami-Dade County — Homestead
Dates: November 14 and 21, December 5
Times: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: Centro Campesino, 35801 SW 186th Ave., Homestead, FL 33034
Questions: (786) 746-7887
Collier County Operated Testing Sites: Collier County is operating five testing sites and has been offering testing for farmworkers throughout the pandemic. FDACS has remained in communication with Collier County in the event of increased needs and stands ready to help provide additional resources.
Collier County — Immokalee
Dates: Every Sunday and Monday during November. Closed November 29.
Times: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Winn Dixie Mall, 1500 Lake Trafford Rd., Immokalee, FL 34142
Collier County — Immokalee
Dates: November 10 and 24
Times: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Misión Peniel, 208 Boston Ave., Immokalee, FL 34142
Collier County — Immokalee
Dates: November 14
Times: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Farm Workers Village, 1800 Farm Worker Way, Immokalee, FL 34142
Collier County — Immokalee
Dates: November 17
Times: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Immokalee South Park, 418 School Dr., Immokalee, FL 34142
Collier County — Immokalee
Dates: November 21
Times: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Little League Park, 1213 Little League Rd., Immokalee, FL 34142
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 a 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.
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