No car needed: Walk-up coronavirus test sites to open in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach
While Gov. Ron DeSantis has touted the dozens of drive-thru COVID-19 test sites as a safe, free and efficient way for people to get tested without getting out of their vehicles or, in The Villages, golf carts, one key population was left out: those who don’t drive.
That changes Saturday, when two walk-up sites open in Broward County — one at the Urban League of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale and the other at Mitchell Moore Park in Pompano Beach.
“Not everyone is going to have access to go to a drive-thru site,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday at a press conference at the Urban League in Fort Lauderdale. “We wanted to see where the gaps were in testing access and see if we could help fill those. ... What we’re doing today is really important to make sure these communities aren’t overlooked.”
The sites, staffed by 60 Florida National Guardsmen, will each provide 200 tests daily to those in Broward, which has the second most confirmed positive cases of the novel coronavirus in the state behind Miami-Dade.
The testing sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Thursday. Those who wait in line will receive a face covering and be asked to practice social distancing by waiting on pre-marked lines on the sidewalk.
Broward County Mayor Dale Holness said the sites will significantly help those in the community who rely on public transportation, bicycles or walking to get around.
It’s fitting, Holness said, that the Urban League site is located off Sistrunk Boulevard, named after Dr. James Sistrunk, who started a hospital for black patients who couldn’t be served at Broward General in the late 1930s.
“This community is often underserved,” Holness said. “This is what we must do to beat this virus.”
Sen. Perry Thurston, a Lauderhill Democrat who represents the area, said his office has been flooded with questions about testing for those who don’t drive.
“This is a game-changer to have a facility here in the community,” he said. “If we want to have a complete count and an overall perspective, we’ve got to get accurate measurements and we need this community to be part of that.”
The first mobile testing site opened in Pembroke Pines in mid-March, creating a model for dozens of sites that have since popped up across the state. But the criteria was limited: Only healthcare workers and first responders; seniors aged 65 or older; and symptomatic individuals who recently traveled abroad could be tested.
According to DeSantis, more than 56,000 tests have been conducted at just drive-thru sites, and he hopes the walk-up idea will boost testing numbers and replicate itself in other areas of the state.
Directions to the Broward sites by bus
Anyone traveling to get tested should wear a face mask while using public transportation or while in close proximity to other people.
To get to the Urban League, 560 NW 27th Ave., from downtown Fort Lauderdale using Broward County Transit, take the #40 bus to Sistrunk Boulevard and NW 27th Avenue.
From north Broward: Take #19 bus to Lauderhill Mall, get on the #40 bus from there.
From south Broward: Take the #18 bus to the Lauderhill Mall, get on the #40 bus from there.
From east Broward: Take the #60, #50 or the #14 bus to Broward Central Terminal. Then get on the #40 bus west to Sistrunk Boulevard and NW 27th Avenue..
From west Broward: Take the #72 bus to get the #36 bus to Lauderhill Mall. Then get on the #40 bus to the Urban League at Sistrunk Boulevard and NW 27 Avenue.
To get to Mitchell Moore Park at 901 NW 10th St. in Pompano Beach using Broward County Transit, take the #20 bus and get off at Northwest Sixth Avenue and Northwest 10th Street.
Anyone with symptoms can be tested at the walk-up locations. For information or to make an appointment, call 954-412-7300.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 12:44 PM.