JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The federally-sponsored drive-thru testing site in Lot J outside TIAA Bank Field is now open to all ages, Mayor Lenny Curry announced Sunday afternoon.
The change will go into effect at 9 a.m. Monday, but the mayor said the other criteria remain the same. Those who wish to be tested for COVID-19 at the Lot J site must have a temperature of at least 99.6 degrees and have respiratory issues.
“Our goal is to make everybody, old and young across every demographic, understand this is a virus. If you are a human being, the virus can impact you. And even if you’re young and healthy and you don’t really get much impact from the virus, to be a carrier can be as detrimental to your neighbors and your family members as anything else," said Brian Hughes, chief administrative officer for the city.
Since opening Lot J as a federal coronavirus testing site on Saturday, there have been 565 tests conducted as of 1 p.m. Monday, Curry said. At the city’s mobile testing site at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, Curry said, more than 300 had been tested as of 1 p.m. Monday.
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My team has been working our Federal partners on expanding those eligible for testing at lot J. The age restriction will be removed. All ages can be tested. The other criteria remain the same. You must have temperature of at least 99.6 and have respiratory issues.
— Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) March 22, 2020
The TIAA Bank Field site, which includes nine testing stations, will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for as long as supplies last. News4Jax was told there were would be 250 people tested per day at Lot J site. After that amount of people had been tested Monday, the site closed early -- about 4:20 p.m.
The Lot J site was the third drive-thru testing site to open last week in Jacksonville, but the only one that doesn’t require prequalifying with a doctor’s note. At both the Prime Osborn Convention Center and Ascension St. Vincent’s sites, the driver must show a physician’s order.
First responders and health care workers who have had direct contact with patients will be tested regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms. Curry said test results will be given in three to seven days.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority had cooling buses staged for medical personnel who were at Lot J.
With testing for #COVID19 beginning at @TIAABankField Parking lot J, we have cooling buses staged for the medical professionals who are doing this important work.
— JTAFLA (@JTAFLA) March 21, 2020
Thank you for dedicating your time and helping our community #StopTheSpread pic.twitter.com/nbPonFJxEn
A maximum of four people are allowed in a vehicle, and passengers who wish to be tested must be next to an operating window. Any additional passengers who wish to be tested must get back in line or return the following day.
If you’re being tested:
- Bring your own pen
- Bring photo identification
- Refrain from taking any fever-reducing medicine four to six hours before testing
- Health care workers and first responders need to bring work identification
- Remain inside the vehicle at all times
As long lines are expected, drivers are asked to follow the directions of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office traffic officers:
- Drivers coming from the west side of town should use Bay Street.
- Drivers coming from the east side should use Gator Bowl Boulevard.
Public restrooms will be not available. American sign language and Spanish language interpreters will be on-site to assist.