Gainesville to host free drive-thru COVID-19 testing

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - As cases of COVID-19 rise in Florida testing becomes an important way to limit the spread.

The city of Gainesville will be hosting a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Citizens Field on Saturday, June 27.

"This is an opportunity for the community to come out and get tested for free and enjoy yourself in the process," said District 1 Commissioner Gigi Simmons.

The University of Florida's College of Medicine Mobile Outreach Clinic will be giving the tests on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The first 300 people will receive PPE including face masks and hand sanitizer. Children 10 and older can be tested as well, as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

They also plan on using a less invasive form of the test, which normally includes a long cotton swab inserted all the way to the back of the nasal cavity.

"We just want to take the extra measure to make sure that people who do come out on Saturday have the equipment with them," Simmons said.

The testing is a part of the east Gainesville COVID-19 Testing, Education, and Relief Initiative, which provides residents of east Gainesville access to testing and information about the coronavirus.

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