The latest provincial testing criteria were updated on 24 September 2020. These criteria are for patients who are being assessed by public health and family medicine offices and referred to our assessment centres for testing.
New provincial testing criteria
Ontario has updated testing guidelines to prioritize those who are at the greatest risk, while shifting away from untargeted asymptomatic testing. Patients should only be referred to assessment centres for testing if they are:
- Showing COVID-19 symptoms;
- Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as informed by your public health unit or exposure notification through the COVID Alert app;
- A resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by our local public health unit
- Eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
Starting on September 25, other people who are not showing symptoms and not eligible for testing as part of groups 2-4 can get tested for COVID-19 at select pharmacies. To find the closest pharmacy, visit Ontario.ca/covidtest.