Osler moving COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Centres to indoor locations

Relocating indoors will ensure safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff as winter approaches

William Osler Health System (Osler), which operates COVID-19 Testing Centres in Brampton (South Fletcher’s Sportsplex) and Etobicoke (Highway 27 and Queen’s Plate Drive), is moving both Testing Centres to indoor locations, starting the week of December 7.

With winter approaching, Osler is relocating the Testing Centres indoors to ensure the health, safety and comfort of patients and staff, as well as the continuity of its testing efforts throughout the colder months.

The Brampton Testing Centre at South Fletcher’s Sportsplex will move to Osler’s Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness on December 10, while the Etobicoke Testing Centre will move to Osler’s Etobicoke General Hospital on December 8. Both Testing Centres will continue to serve those who have appointments and meet the criteria for COVID-19 testing.

“Drive-thru testing centres require significant outdoor infrastructure to mitigate the impact of weather, and moving these services indoors will ensure that patients and staff have a safe and comfortable environment as the harsher winter weather approaches,” said Kiki Ferrari, Chief Operations Officer, William Osler Health System. “Testing remains a key aspect of Osler’s COVID-19 response and it is important to us to ensure continued access for our community throughout the course of this pandemic.”

Osler’s Testing Centres, which will no longer operate as a drive-though model at the new locations, will be situated in self-contained areas of both hospital sites to ensure the health and safety of everyone. Both Peel Memorial and Etobicoke General provide dedicated spaces for testing and as a result, the new Testing Centres will not impact other inpatient and outpatient services at either site.

The moves to these new locations may be temporary as Osler continues to work with community partners to secure larger indoor spaces that are suitable for COVID-19 testing over the longer term.

What do I need to know about Osler’s COVID-19 Testing Centres?

• Anyone who meets the criteria for COVID-19 testing can schedule a test at an Osler Testing Centre online or by phone at 905-487-1249. The phone booking system is monitored from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week
• The Brampton Testing Centre (South Fletcher’s Sportsplex) will close on December 9, 2020, 7:00 p.m. It will reopen at Peel Memorial (20 Lynch Street, Brampton) on December 10, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. for the first scheduled appointment.
• The Etobicoke Testing Centre (Highway 27 and Queen’s Plate Drive) will close on December 7, at 7:00 p.m. It will reopen at Etobicoke General (101 Humber College Boulevard, Etobicoke) on December 8, at 11:00 a.m. for the first scheduled appointment.
• The normal hours of operation for both COVID-19 Testing Centres will be 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., daily.
• The health and safety of our patients, staff, physicians, volunteers and community is a top priority. Osler’s COVID-19 Testing Centres are safe and do not pose a risk of COVID-19 exposure. Osler will continue to take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of everyone who comes through our doors.
• Osler’s COVID-19, Cold and Flu Clinic at Peel Memorial remains open and continues to provide care to patients who are eligible for testing and those who have symptoms and want to see a physician. The Clinic is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, and no appointment is required.