Estero to offer free COVID-19 testing before Thanksgiving

Reporter: Andryanna Sheppard Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
Hertz Arena
Hertz Arena

The Village of Estero is offering free COVID-19 tests to its residents and visitors this week.

Village council wanted to make sure the site was open so people could get tested before having, serving or attending a Thanksgiving dinner. They turned the empty parking lot of Hertz Arena into a pop-up coronavirus testing site.

“I feel like it is a good opportunity for people who want to do it,” said Madelyn Masters, an Estero resident.

For three days, residents of Estero and their visitors will be able to get tested for COVID-19.

Mayor Bill Ribble said the council wanted to do it for the community. “We wanted to offer something locally here for our residents so that they could feel safe for their visitors coming in for the holiday.”

He said they were able to offer the testing thanks to LeeCARES funds. Test results come back in as little as 24 hours.

“Everybody is within five miles from Hertz Arena. I don’t care where you live in Estero. It’s a local location to get to. Everyone knows where it is,” Ribble said.

Tim Masters lives in Estero and said that while he’s spending Thanksgiving with immediate family, anyone who’s having guests over should get tested. “There is a lot of travel. But anytime that it’s offered I think that it can be an advantage to certain people in the community.”

Testing at Hertz Arena begins at 9 a.m. Monday and will run until 3 p.m. It will only be available until Wednesday.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.