State COVID-19 drive-through testing site open near Dillard’s at Mall at University Town Center

No prescription necessary for people to be tested between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week

This is the drive-through COVID-19 testing site near the Mall at University Town Center. Photo courtesy Florida Department of Health

A drive-through, community-based COVID-19 testing site that has opened at the Mall at University Town Center will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Florida Department of Health has announced.

“Testing will be available for individuals over the age of 18 regardless of symptoms,” a news release says. The site is designed for drive-through purposes only, the release stresses. “Please limit passengers in the vehicle to those who are being tested, and no more than 5 people,” the release points out.

Individuals being tested will not be permitted to exit their vehicles, the release adds.

A prescription is not required, and an individual does not need to be Sarasota or Manatee county residents to be tested, the release says. The test used will involve a nasal swab, the release notes.

After samples have been collected, the release continues, they will be sent to a commercial lab for testing; “results will be provided as soon as they are available.”

The location of the site is near the parking lot east of Dillard’s, at 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, 34243.

“This site was created through a partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Florida Department of Health, the Florida National Guard and Sarasota and Manatee counties,” the release explains.