Breaking news: Ontario pharmacies to offer symptomatic COVID-19 testing

Pharmacies already have the authority to test asymptomatic people who haven’t been in contact with someone with COVID-19, and aren’t part of an outbreak investigation.

Canadian Press reports that pharmacies, should they choose to opt in, will soon be able to offer PCR swab tests for people with symptoms and high-risk contacts of people with COVID-19.

The pharmacies will also be able to serve as drop-off points for at-home tests, if they want to participate in the program.

Pharmacies will be expected to have a dedicated space in which to perform the tests, physical distancing, time between tests to allow for cleaning, and put up signage indicating the location provides symptomatic testing.