Hamilton to open drive-through COVID-19 testing centre

The city of Hamilton has announced a new drive-through COVID-19 testing centre will open this weekend on the mountain.

The assessment centre will be run out of the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena at 25 Hester St.

It will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.

The new drive-through testing centre will be operated by the Hamilton Family Health Team and McMaster Family Health Team and is being staffed by primary care clinicians.

The city says a referral from your doctor or Hamilton Public Health Services is required for screening and an appointment at the drive-through COVID-19 testing centre or any assessment centre in the city.

Earlier this week, the province expanded the criteria for COVID-19 testing to now include symptomatic individuals from vulnerable populations like residents and staff of homeless shelters and group homes, essential and cross-border workers, pregnant persons and people living with health-care workers and cancer patients.

The city says the assessment centres at 690 Main St. and 2757 King St. East will remain open with their regular hours of operation.