A new Richmond COVID-19 testing site opened close to the airport on Saturday, replacing the one located on Gilbert Road in the parking lot of the Richmond Tennis Club.
The new site, set up in the JetSet parking lot, has double the capacity of the previous one and can handle 650 visits per day.
Early Thursday morning, when the Richmond News visited the site, cars were already lining up at opening time, 8 a.m.
People who want to be tested go through a screening process, they are then tested if they have symptoms, and receive advice on how to move forward – whether they need to isolate, how to get results – from a nurse at the site.
At the COVID-19 testing site, patients are tested either with a nose swab or via a saliva test.
The saliva test was first used just on children, but now it can be used on most adults as well (restrictions can apply if they’ve eaten or smoked in the last hour).
The test site (called a “COVID-19 collection centre”) is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week and is a drive-through facility – no appointment is needed. Those who can’t drive can get tested at Richmond Hospital.
Anyone aged four or older can be tested at the site, but testing for travel purposes is not permitted.
The COVID-19 test site is located at 5911 North Service Rd., just near the entrance to YVR.
