COVID-19 testing is not mandatory. If you are offered a test, you can decide whether or not to have it. Whatever you decide, it is important to follow all the public health recommendations and to continue to apply the health recommendations for everyone.
If you need to have a screening test to travel, you must go to a private clinic or a pharmacy that offers this service.
Priority for testing at designated screening centres
Healthcare and social services workers
Healthcare and social services workers and subcontractors providing care and services to clients or residents at the following facilities may be tested at a designated screening centre:
Health and social services institutions
Intermediate and family-type resources (IRs-FTRs) and continuous assistance residences (CARs)
Private seniors' homes
Residential centres, or residential and long-term care centres
Home-based social economy enterprises
Service employment paycheque arrangement
Respite homes
Birthing centres
Palliative care hospices
Residential settings (including religious communities)
Community accommodation resources
Detention centres
Pharmacies
Ambulance service organizations
Any other facility or organization defined under provincial guidelines
Healthcare and social service clients
Clients who are receiving or will receive healthcare or social services at a healthcare facility or a residential facility can have a test at a designated screening centre.
Other people given priority
Some people who have symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 can be tested at a designated screening centre, including the following:
People under consideration for COVID-19 treatment (such as PaxlovidTM or EvusheldTM) or for flu treatment (such as oseltamivir)
People with a chronic disease or a condition requiring regular medical attention, such as:
a cardiac, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, hematologic, or neurologic disease
cancer
an immunocompromised condition
morbid obesity
People aged 70 years and older
People from First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities, whether or not living in the community
People living in or travelling to remote areas for work
People living in the same household as a person susceptible to flu complications and their informal caregivers
People with a physical or intellectual disability or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who have another disorder making them eligible for flu or COVID-19 treatment
Children under the age of 2 years
Pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester who are healthy and pregnant women who have a chronic medical condition, regardless of their trimester
Confirmation that you belong to a priority group may be requested at the testing centre.
Some testing centres allow you to get tested without an appoinment. For more details, consult the websites of the institutions in your region.
Getting your test results
In general, your test results will be sent by e-mail. If you did not provide an e-mail address when you booked your appointment, you will receive your results by phone.
Information on the website in no way replaces the opinion of a health professional. If you have questions concerning your health status, consult a professional.