Hispanic groups providing free testing for COVID-19

The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration in Orlando is holding free COVID-19 testing Saturday — hoping to reach both an at-risk Hispanic population and Central Floridians planning to travel to Puerto Rico.

“We want to remind the community in Florida that both visitors and residents traveling to Puerto Rico have to submit a traveler’s statement and provide results of a negative molecular test for COVID-19 prior to arrival,” said Jennifer Storipan, PRFAA’s executive director.

Those who don’t will be required to quarantine for 14 days, she noted. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 3 warning for Puerto Rico, advising against travel except for humanitarian aid work, medical reasons or family emergencies.

Still, given Central

Florida’s large Puerto Rican population — half of whom are estimated to have family on the island — the administration expects a hefty turnout for testing.

But Saturday’s event is also an attempt to reach more Hispanic residents generally. The group has been disproportionately hospitalized and killed by the virus.

“There is absolutely a need,” said Orange County Commissioner

Mayra Uribe, who has pushed to remove barriers for undocumented residents to get testing and to make coronavirus information available in Spanish. “And I think when people see the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration and the Mexican Consulate involved, it gives people a level of comfort.”

Latin Health Community Advisors, Lab24 and Calvario City Church have joined the PRFAA in sponsoring the testing.

The Mexican Consulate in Orlando also has hosted large COVID testing events.

Saturday’s testing will be held in the parking lot of Calvario City Church, 2500 West Oak Ridge Road in Orlando, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For questions, call 407-776-9000 or email infoFL@prfaa.pr.gov.