Getting tested for COVID-19
How to know if you should get tested and where you can go.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested as soon as possible. If you’re a close contact but do not have symptoms, the time you should get tested depends on when you were exposed to the person with COVID-19. Find out when you should get tested.
You can take the self-assessment to help you decide if you need to get tested. An OHIP card is not required for a test. It's a free service.
If you have any severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911 or visit the emergency department.
If you decide to not get tested, you'll still need to self-isolate.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to get a COVID-19 test at:
- Assessment centres
- Community testing locations
- Select pharmacies
Some locations may have certain restrictions, such as not being able to test young children.
Assessment centres and community testing locations
You can get tested at one of these locations if you:
- Have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 or received a COVID Alert app exposure notification.
- Live or work in a place that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified by public health.
- Live or work in an at-risk setting such as a long-term care home, homeless shelter, or other congregate setting.
- Will be visiting a long-term care home.
Get a full listing of who can get tested at assessment centres and community testing locations.
The Ontario government's testing locations information may not include community testing locations in Peel. Refer to our list of testing locations.
Groups targeted for testing by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, or Public Health Ontario may change from time to time. You should confirm your eligibility for a COVID-19 test with your health care provider before seeking testing.
Pharmacies and other locations
Do not go to a pharmacy if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Testing at pharmacies is by appointment only and you must meet the criteria for testing there.
Get more details about who can get tested at participating pharmacies.
Residents of Peel are also eligible to get tested in other regions, which may use other testing methods. Check the Ontario government's full list of testing locations.
Rapid testing in the workplace
In Peel, rapid testing (also known as point-of-care or POC testing) for COVID-19 is only available in specific settings, such as workplaces and long-term care homes. You cannot request a rapid test from your health care provider, an assessment centre, or pharmacy.
If you received a rapid test, follow the instructions given to you at the time of your test. Get more information about rapid testing in the workplace for employers and employees.
Other information
Testing is available in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. The following information provides details on locations, hours and how to book your test. Some testing centres may have outdoor waiting areas. Dress appropriately for weather conditions.
Brampton
Embassy Grand Convention Centre
8800 The Gore Road, Brampton (map)
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Book an appointment or call 905-366-7374
Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness
20 Lynch Street, Brampton (map)
Peel Memorial has both a COVID-19 Testing Centre as well as a COVID-19, Cold and Flu Clinic.
Check the criteria to find out where you should go.
COVID-19 Testing Centre
Use the south side entrance and dedicated outdoor parking next to the entrance.
Hours: 2 to 9 p.m.
Book at the COVID-19 Testing Centre
Brampton Lawn Bowling Facility
Flower City Community Campus
8910 McLaughlin Road South, Brampton (map)
South-west corner Queen Street West and McLaughlin Road South, next to the Flower City Seniors Recreation Centre
Hours:
- Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Call 905-796-4922 or toll free 1-866-222-1810 to book an appointment.
Queen Square COVID-19, Flu and Cold Clinic
Snelgrove Community Centre
11692 Hurontario Street, Brampton (map)
Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Book an appointment at Snelgrove Community Centre
For people with symptoms who need to see a doctor
MyHealth COVID-19 Community Testing
2260 Bovaird Dr East, Brampton (map)
Suite 105 B
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Book an appointment or call 1-888-503-1086.
Terry Miller Recreation Centre
1295 Williams Pkwy, Brampton (map)
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 2 to 8 p.m.
Book an appointment
Caledon
Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness
14111 Regional Road 50 North, Bolton (map)
Hours: Mondays from 2 to 6 p.m.
Call 905-796-4922 to book an appointment.
Caledon East Community Complex
6215 Old Church Rd., Caledon East (map)
Hours: Fridays 2 to 6 p.m.
Call 905-796-4922 to book an appointment.
Headwaters Health Care Centre
100 Rolling Hills Drive, Orangeville (map)
The entrance is located on the north side of the hospital, near the Emergency Department.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week, including holidays
Book an appointment at Headwaters COVID-19 assessment centre
Southfields Community Centre
225 Dougall Ave, Caledon, ON L7C 3M7
Hours: Wednesdays 2 to 6 p.m.
Call 905-796-4922 to book an appointment.
Mississauga
Mississauga Hospital Trillium Health Partners Assessment Centre
Clinical Administrative Building
15 Bronte College Court, Mississauga (map)
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Book an appointment at Mississauga Hospital
Credit Valley Hospital Trillium Health Partners Assessment Centre - drive thru
2200 Eglinton Ave West, Mississauga (map)
Use the entrance on Credit Valley Drive near Eglinton Avenue West and follow signs to Level 1, main parking garage.
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Book and appointment at Credit Valley Hospital
Four Corners Health Centre
7205 Goreway Drive, Mississauga (map)
Inside Westwood Square
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 12 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Call 416-312-0566 to book your appointment
Mississauga Health Cough and Flu Clinic
CarePoint Health Complex
2695 North Sheridan Way, Mississauga (map)
Suite 120. Located near Winston Churchill Blvd and QEW
Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 905-361-1448 to book an appointment.
For people with symptoms who need to see a doctor
Peel Regional Paramedics Kingsway Satellite Station - drive thru
75 Kingsway Drive near 7120 Hurontario Street, Mississauga (map)
Use the parking lot entrance on Derrycrest Drive. Look for the small building located at the corner Derrycrest Drive and Kingsway Drive.
Hours: Monday to Friday from 2 to 8 p.m.
Book an appointment at Kingsway paramedic station or call 844-930-4071
We're offering voluntary testing at select schools in Peel.
Testing is available to students, and their families, bus drivers, and school staff who do not have symptoms of COVID-19. Testing is also available to children, families and staff that attend child care centres within the schools who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
Anyone who has been exposed to a person with COVID-19 is not eligible for this testing program.
This testing is not for students, children or staff that are part of a dismissed class or cohort that have not yet returned to school or child care. They should be tested at an assessment centre or community-based testing location.
Bring your Ontario health card with you to get your test results more easily.
School staff can also get tested at participating pharmacies.
School testing locations
From April 6 to 18 there will be no school testing dates scheduled.
Every testing site and experience will be somewhat different, but there will be staff and signs on site to help you.
Before you visit a testing location, confirm the following:
- If the centre is open and what the hours are.
- How to book an appointment for testing.
- If there's a drive-thru option.
- If they will test young children or babies.
- If any information about your condition is needed (pre-screening).
Some testing centres may have outdoor waiting areas. Dress appropriately for weather conditions.
Bring your Ontario health (OHIP) card with you. You can still get tested if you do not have a health card. It's a free service.
Access more information on COVID-19 testing from the Ontario government.
Getting to the testing location
When travelling to the testing location, travel alone if you can, to avoid possibly exposing others to COVID-19.
If you must be a passenger in a vehicle, wear a mask and sit in the back seat with the windows down.
Do not use public transportation, taxis, or ride share services. If you need to take a taxi or ride share, make sure your nose and mouth are always covered, and wear a non-medical mask.
About the test
Most testing locations use a long, flexible swab to collect a sample through your nose.
The swab is:
- put in one nostril
- rotated around for 5 to 10 seconds
- sometimes put into the other nostril
Most swabs go deep to rub against the inner side of the nose. It may feel like when you get water up your nose. It's temporarily uncomfortable, but not painful. You may feel some discomfort for a little while after.
Most people will need to self-isolate while they wait for their test results. Do not assume that no test result means a negative test, as it may take approximately 7 days to receive results.
In Peel, self-isolation is a requirement under the Class Order issued by the Medical Officer of Health under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Find out what the Class Order on self-isolation means for you.
Stay at home
Stay home while you wait for your test results. You may need to self-isolate from others while you're waiting for results to avoid spreading the virus.
Even if you don’t have symptoms, those you live with should also stay home until you receive your test results. Household members should arrange to get tested as soon as possible if you or anyone else in the home develops symptoms.
Learn what to do if you can’t safely self-isolate at home from the people you live with.
Answer the call
Peel Public Health will call anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 to provide instructions.
Protect those at home
If you develop symptoms or had symptoms when you got tested, distance from those you live with by self-isolating.
If possible, stay in your own room, do not share bathrooms, wear a mask, physically distance and wash your hands often.
Learn more about how to properly self-isolate.
Check your test results
You may be able to check your test results online. Be patient, as it can take approximately 7 days to receive your COVID-19 test results.
Follow the directions given to you at the testing location.
Learn how to get your test results and what they mean.
Follow next steps
Many people will need to continue self-isolating for a specific period of time after getting their test results, before it's safe to go back to work, school or other activities.
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, you may need to get tested again, depending on when you were first tested. Refer to the full instructions for close contacts.
People who are self-isolating can access supports and services to help with daily necessities, such as food delivery and supports for seniors. Also learn about financial support that may be available to you.
Translated resources
You can find a summary of this information available in multiple languages.
Testing for international travellers
You can no longer get a free test for international travel. Private COVID-19 tests are available throughout Ontario. International travellers are recommended to consult their travel carrier's guidelines to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and should refer to the Government of Canada's travel website for requirements related to their destination.
At Toronto Pearson International Airport, a mandatory COVID-19 test is required upon arrival for all international travellers. Learn more about the mandatory testing program and what travellers need to do.
Testing for health care workers
All health care workers who have symptoms or are tested for COVID-19 should self-isolate and contact their occupational health department for further instructions. If you're a health care worker or work in a health care facility, refer to health care workers for information on testing and self-isolation.
If you have any severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or feeling faint, call 911 or go to the emergency department.
Inform health care workers or 911 if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have had close contact with a person who has COVID-19. If possible, wear a mask to limit exposure to others.