Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Underway At Fort Lauderdale's Holiday Park

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A new drive-thru COVID-19 test site opened Thursday at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale.

The site, off East Sunrise Boulevard and Federal Highway, will be open Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The free testing is available to anyone over the age of 18 with or without COVID-19 symptoms. No doctor referral is needed. Proper ID is required with name, date of birth, and photo.

No walk-ups are allowed. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said the site can test up to 400 people a day.

"This morning within the first 30 minutes of opening, we were able to do about 35 of those appointments," said Stephen Gollan, a Battalion Chief with the City of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.

Tests will be administered by healthcare professionals from AMR. Patients will be contacted when test results are available.

Testing will be by appointment only. Those interested can call (800) 209-7919.

"This morning, we've seen people in and out in less than 15 minutes," said Gollan.

On Wednesday, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said if numbers at the site contributed to a downward trend, it will get his city closer to opening businesses like restaurants and nail salons.

"People are entitled to know whether the disease is in their city," said Mayor Dean Trantalis. "We need to know, we need to identify who has the virus and to be able to contain the spread of the disease by identifying who has the disease."

First responders will enter the site from the East Sunrise Boulevard entrance to the park, while the general public will enter from the Federal Highway entrance.

First responders who need tests should have their badge or proper identification ready.

Unlike county parks with drive-thru test sites, the rest of Holiday Park will remain open to the public while testing is going on.

"We're only using a very, very small part of the park for our testing facility," Gollan said. "Without having any of the long lines, or anything like that. We're able to get people in and out and there's no reason to seclude the rest of the park."

Ft. Lauderdale
Coronavirus