COVID-19 Testing at Assessment Centres Changing to Appointment Only
Walk-in testing at Ontario assessment centres has been discontinued. Testing at all centres will be by appointment only as of Tuesday, October 6.
Click here for a provincial news release regarding these changes.
Accordingly St. Mary’s Testing Center at 50 Bathurst Drive, Unit 1, Waterloo will discontinue walk-in appointments as of Tuesday, October 6.
Appointments already booked will be honoured. If you have booked an appointment, but have decided to pursue another option, please call to cancel your appointment.
Phone: 519-885-9517
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 7 days per week.
As of September 24 provincial testing guidance changed. Read the latest provincial testing guidance.
When to get tested
Depending on your situation, you may be able to get a free COVID-19covid 19 test at:
- COVID-19 assessment centres
- select pharmacies
If you have symptoms
If you are showing COVID-19 symptoms, only an assessment centre can test you.
Do not go to a pharmacy if you have any symptoms of COVID-19covid 19.
If you do not have symptoms
Assessment centres
You can get tested at an assessment centre if you are not showing symptoms and:
- your public health unit or the COVID Alert app notifies you that you have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus
- you live or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified by your local public health unit
- you belong to a specific group outlined in guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health
Do not go to a pharmacy if any of the situations above apply to you.
Assessment centres or pharmacies
You can get tested at an assessment centre or select pharmacies if you are:
- not showing symptoms, and are
- eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative as determined by the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Long-term Care or public health
This includes:
- residents, workers or visitors of long-term care homes
- residents or workers in homeless shelters or other congregate settings
- international students that have passed their 14-day quarantine period
- farm workers
- Indigenous communities
Groups targeted for testing by public health may change from time to time. You should confirm your eligibility for a COVID-19covid 19 test with your health care provider before seeking testing.
If you think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, but the above criteria do not apply to you, speak with your health care provider.
Tests for international travel
If you are not showing symptoms and needs a test to confirm you do not have COVID-19 before travelling internationally, you can currently visit an assessment centre or make an appointment at a select pharmacy.
This is an interim measure. Please check back to ensure you have current information about testing options and locations available to you.
About testing
If you can, please bring your Ontario health card.
Some testing locations may require you to book an appointment first or have certain restrictions (for example, some are unable to test young children).
When visiting an assessment centre or participating pharmacy, follow public health measures, including wearing a face covering and maintain physical distance from people outside your household or social circle.
If you need immediate medical attention.
If you are in need of immediate medical attention, please call 911 or visit the hospital emergency department and advise them of your symptoms and travel history, if applicable. If you have other health concerns, please contact your family doctor.
How do I find out my results?
- You can find your COVID-19 test results by visiting this website. You need to have your OHIP number ready to check your results through the website.
- A health care worker will also contact you directly if your result is positive.