City manager says state officials cite low demand as the reason
The state-run, walk-up COVID-19 testing site at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex in Sarasota will shut down at the close of business this Friday, May 14, Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown has announced.
The state’s drive-through site at the former Sarasota Kennel Club, located at 5400 Old Bradenton Road, will cease operating at the close of business Sunday, May 16, a city news release says.
“The closures are based on low demand, according to state officials. All state-run testing sites in Florida are expected to close by May 28,” the release points out.
Until the closures, free testing will be available daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, which stands at 1845 34th St., and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5400 Old Bradenton Road.
For more information about state-supported testing sites and a list of frequently asked questions, visit floridadisaster.org/covid19/testing-sites.
Community members also are encouraged to visit CVS, Walgreens or other local pharmacies that provide COVID-19 testing.
Since opening in May 2020, the release notes, the Robert L. Taylor site has conducted more than 140,000 COVID-19 tests. The site was created through a partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Florida Department of Health, the Florida National Guard, Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota, the release adds. The effort was coordinated by state Rep. Wengay Newton and NAACP Sarasota Branch President Trevor Harvey, the release says.
The drive-through site was added in December 2020.