Symptomatic COVID-19 testing coming to select Ontario pharmacies

Ontario residents with COVID-19 symptoms will soon be able to get tested at many more locations.

A provincial government source tells CityNews that symptomatic testing will be coming to any pharmacy in the province that decides to opt-in to a new program.

Once the program launches, individuals who come down with COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in close contact with a confirmed case, will be able to get a PCR swab test at a participating pharmacy.

Any pharmacies that opt-in will be able to give out the PCR tests and participate in a drop-off program for take-home tests. The at-home testing will be similar to the system being currently being implemented at public schools across the province.

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Premier Doug Ford was asked on Tuesday about safety concerns for customers now that people with symptoms will be allowed inside certain locations. Ford said he is confident that the necessary safety precautions will be in place.

“The pharmacies were one of the saviors when it came to making sure people were vaccinated,” said Ford. “I have confidence they will do a fine job.”

All participating pharmacies are expected to implement and follow infection prevention and control measures in order to protect staff, patients and customers against the virus.

The measures include:

• dedicated space to perform specimen collection
• physical distancing
• time between tests to allow for cleaning and avoid queuing
• wearing masks inside pharmacies
• performing routine environmental cleaning.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath released a statement asking the Ford government to pause the new symptomatic testing program, saying it will only cause “fear and anxiety” for vulnerable people.

“Pharmacies need to be safe for seniors, immunocompromised people and parents with unvaccinated little ones, who all need and deserve to get their prescriptions without extra fear of being exposed to COVID,” reads the statement from Horwath.

“I’m calling on Doug Ford to pause this new program at least until the risks and safety protocols can be clarified.”

The province says pharmacies will also need to consider ways to optimize ventilation within the location to maximize airflow. Participating locations are also encouraged to provide signage warning all customers that symptomatic testing is happening on the premises.

“We are going to have the protocols in place, similar to when COVID was at its absolute peak,” said Ford. “We’ve learned so much over the last 20 months, so we’re going to be very cautious.”

Once the new program launches all participating locations will be listed on the government of Ontario website.

Previously, anyone seeking a COVID-19 test at a pharmacy in the province needed to be asymptomatic. Ontario will become the first province in Canada to allow symptomatic testing within local pharmacies.

Last month, the Ford government announced all publicly funded schools in Ontario will receive take-home PCR tests beginning in mid-November.