Community partners host second coronavirus testing event in East Gainesville

Press release from City of Gainesville

The City of Gainesville, the Community Foundation of North Central Florida, and the Walmart Foundation again have partnered to deliver free drive-thru testing this summer. 

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, July 25, while supplies last

Where: Citizens Field (1000 NE Waldo Road)

Who: Adults and children of all ages are invited. Children can get tested when accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

“The huge turnout at our first testing event at Citizens Field is proof that area residents want more testing available,” said Gainesville City Commissioner Gigi Simmons. “We encourage everyone in the family – mothers, fathers, children, grandparents – to come and get tested. Make it a family health outing,” she said. 

No doctor’s note is needed. The Alachua County Department of Health will provide the free coronavirus tests. The University of Florida College of Medicine Mobile Outreach Clinic will administer the tests on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 1,000 individuals will receive an assortment of PPE including face masks, hand sanitizer, and school supplies. 

“With the recent spike in confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida, we’ll continue to work together to meet the needs of our community with testing events like this one,” said Paul Myers, administrator of the county health department. 

Free coronavirus testing also is available Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment at the former headquarters of the City’s Regional Transit System. Call 352-334-8810 to schedule an appointment. 

The scheduled testing supports the East Gainesville COVID-19 Testing, Education and Relief Initiative (EGCTERI) which is dedicated to providing residents of East Gainesville with access to coronavirus testing, personal protective equipment, and educational information in the fight against coronavirus.