Find out when and where you can access free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests during the holiday season.
If you are currently experiencing symptoms or have been recently exposed to a COVID-19 positive person, do not visit a rapid antigen screening pop-up site. Rapid antigen tests are used as an additional screening tool only for asymptomatic individuals and not for diagnostic purposes.
Overview
To provide an additional layer of protection against COVID-19covid 19 and variants including Omicron, Ontario is launching a holiday testing blitz to offer voluntary rapid antigen screening to individuals free of charge at pop-up sites across the province. This initiative is part of the government’s enhanced COVID-19covid 19 testing strategy to mitigate the increased risk of transmission over the holiday season.
Throughout December to mid-January, up to two million rapid tests will be provided free of charge at pop-up sites in high-traffic locations such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets, public libraries and transit hubs. People without symptoms of COVID-19covid 19 or people who have not had recent exposure to someone with COVID-19covid 19 will be able to pick up a package of free tests from a pop-up site, while supplies last, or get a free test performed on-site.
Most sites will distribute free take-home rapid antigen test kits, and some will offer testing on-site. Every person that receives a package of tests or gets a test on-site will be provided with easy to understand information and resources about rapid antigen screening and COVID-19covid 19 vaccination.
See the schedule below for more information.
Rapid antigen tests for individuals
Anyone without symptoms or who has not recently been in contact with someone with COVID-19covid 19 is eligible to receive a free take-home rapid antigen test kit from a pop-up site or get a free test performed on-site as part of the government’s holiday testing blitz. You do not need an appointment to access a pop-up site. However, access to rapid antigen tests will be subject to available supply. At sites distributing tests, there is a limit of one test kit per person.
Rapid antigen tests cannot diagnose COVID-19covid 19. Anyone who receives a package of tests to take home and gets a positive result must self-isolate and book a lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at a testing site to confirm the result. Any location that performs on-site rapid antigen screening will also offer a confirmatory PCR test for individuals who receive a positive antigen result.
If you need a COVID-19covid 19 test because you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19covid 19, find a testing location using the testing locations tool.
Learn more about COVID-19covid 19 testing.
Rapid antigen holiday pop-up schedule
We are working with local partners, public health units and municipalities to determine specific pop-up sites based on local data and needs.
Rapid antigen tests are used as an additional screening tool only for asymptomatic individuals and not for diagnostic purposes. Do not visit these testing locations if you have symptoms of COVID-19covid 19 or have been exposed to a COVID-19covid 19 positive person.
| Date | Time | Location name | Address | Type of test available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, December 17 | Mall hours | Yorkdale Mall | 3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Friday, December 17 | Mall hours | Square One | 100 City Centre Drive, Mississauga | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Friday, December 17 | Mall hours | Scarborough Town Centre | 300 Borough Drive, Scarborough | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Friday, December 17 | 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Canada Square | 2190/2200 Yonge Street, Toronto | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Friday, December 17 | 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Innovation Centre | 325 Front Street, Toronto | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Friday, December 17 | 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Richmond-Adelaide Centre | 120 Adelaide Street West, Toronto | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Friday, December 17 | 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Water Park Place | 10/20 Bay Street, Toronto | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Saturday, December 18 | Mall hours | Yorkdale Mall | 3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Saturday, December 18 | 12:15 p.m. to-3:30 p.m. | Rideau Heights Community Centre | 85 MacCauley Street, Kingston | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Saturday, December 18 | 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Peterborough Farmer’s Market (Morrow Building) | 136 Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Saturday, December 18 | 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Peterborough Memorial Centre | 151 Lansdowne Street, Peterborough | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Saturday, December 18 | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | GO-VAXX – Sandalwood Square Shopping Centre – RIOCAN | 30-70 Bristol Road East, Mississauga | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Sunday, December 19 | Mall hours | Hillcrest | 9350 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
| Sunday, December 19 | Mall hours | Upper Canada Mall | 17600 Yonge Street, Newmarket | Pick up Rapid Antigen Screening |
What to bring with you
If you would like to access free rapid antigen tests at a pop-up COVID-19covid 19 testing holiday site, remember to:
- wear a face covering and follow the public health measures on-site at all times
- bring assistive or accessibility devices if you need them
- dress for the weather if the pop-up site is located outdoors
- not visit the pop-up site if you have any symptoms of, or have been exposed to, COVID-19covid 19. Instead, you should seek testing at a designated testing location
Rapid antigen tests for organizations
The Provincial Antigen Screening Program (PASP) provides free rapid antigen test kits to high-risk communities, organizations and workplaces. Check to see if your organization is eligible and how to apply.
People who wish to get tests for an organization should not visit a pop-up site.
Getting vaccinated
Vaccination against COVID-19covid 19 is the most effective way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from COVID-19covid 19 and variants including Omicron.
You can still use Ontario’s vaccine booking system to schedule an appointment at a mass immunization clinic or a participating pharmacy.
Visit ontario.ca/bookvaccine or call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900.
Some holiday pop-up testing sites will also serve as GO-VAXX bus locations, which will offer COVID-19covid 19 vaccinations as well. See the schedule above for more information.
Article From: Gov of Ontario website
