FDACS Update: Additional County Farmworker COVID-19 Testing Availability

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are announcing additional COVID-19 testing sites and dates in Miami-Dade, Hendry, Collier, Hillsborough, and Glades County for farmworkers. The ongoing efforts to provide access to testing for farmworkers is in 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 remains a major health threat, we’re continuing our work to provide farmworkers with access to COVID-19 testing,” stated Commissioner Nikki Fried. “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.”

Background: 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. Commissioner 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. 

December Testing Sites: 

Hendry County — Clewiston
Dates: December 23
Times: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location: Hendry County Health Department, 1100 South Olympia Ave., Clewiston, FL 33440
Flyer: Available for download here 

Hendry County — LaBelle 
Dates: December 21 and 30
Times: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Florida Department of Health, 1140 Pratt Blvd, LaBelle, FL 33935
Flyer: Available for download here 

Glades County — Moore Haven 
Dates: December 17 and 28
Times: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location: 998 US 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471 
Flyer: Available for download here 

Hillsborough County — Dover 
Dates:  Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday until December 19 
Times: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: San Jose Mission, 13524 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover, FL 33527
Flyer: Available for download here 

Hillsborough County — Ruskin 
Dates/Times:  Wednesday-Thursday 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM until December 19
Dates/Times: Saturday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM until December 19
Location: Manatee Village, 912 Manatee Village Drive, Ruskin, FL 33570
Flyer: Available for download here 

Miami-Dade County — Homestead 
Dates:  December 19
Times: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: Centro Campesino, 35801 SW 186th Ave., Homestead, FL 33034
Questions: (786) 746-7887
Flyer: Available for download here 

Miami-Dade County — Florida City 
Dates:  December 16
Times: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: Everglades Community Association, 19308 SW 380th St, Florida City, FL 33034
Questions: (786) 683-7414 

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 December
Times: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Winn Dixie Mall, 1500 Lake Trafford Rd., Immokalee, FL 34142 
Flyer: Available for download here 

Collier County — Immokalee 
Dates: December 29
Times: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Farm Workers Village, 1800 Farm Worker Way, Immokalee, FL 34142 
Flyer: Available for download here 

Collier County — Immokalee 
Dates: December 19
Times: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Immokalee South Park, 418 School Dr., Immokalee, FL 34142
Flyer: Available for download here 

Collier County — Immokalee 
Dates: December 15 and 22
Times: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Little League Park, 1213 Little League Rd., Immokalee, FL 34142
Flyer: Available for download here

What to Know:

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.

Outreach Materials:

A printable flyer for the testing program may be downloaded here in English, here in Spanish, and here in Creole. Additional county-specific flyers are available below.

A Spanish-language radio PSA will air in the participating counties.

And, the below Spanish-language video is available for social media.

Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services