At the request of the Governor’s office, the direction of the Florida Department of Emergency Management with the support of the Florida Department of Health, Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties are pleased to announce a new mobile testing site at the University of West Florida that will open to the public on Saturday, May 2 at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The UWF test site will be open seven days a week for two weeks.
The drive-through test site will be located at the SP2 parking lot, which is on the east side of campus, near the East Sports Complex. Individuals are asked to remain in their vehicles, and pre-screening is not required. The National Guard will be there to assist. Friday will be a dry run open to Escambia and Santa Rosa County first responders from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We want to thank the Governor’s Office for initiating this testing site at the University of West Florida for Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents,” said Escambia County Board Chairman Steven Barry. “I’d also like to thank Dr. Martha Saunders and the University of West Florida for the use of their campus to accommodate residents from both counties in such a central location. Furthermore, this site will provide residents the opportunity to be tested, both for their own peace of mind and for the overall health of our community.”
Santa Rosa County Chairman Don Salter added, "We appreciate the governor bringing these much needed resources to our part of the state. Increased testing capacity is the key to safely reopening the Florida panhandle."
“We are happy to provide the opportunity for this much needed testing site," said UWF President Martha Saunders. "UWF will always do its part to protect the health and safety of our community.”
The media is encouraged to come on Friday. Please notify cmr@myescambia.com prior to arriving.
Please see the attached documents to know what to expect at a community-based testing site and what to do while waiting for results.
