Testing is not required if you do not have symptoms. For more information who needs testing, see: BCCDC: Testing for COVID-19.

Some symptoms could be signs of other conditions or medical issues and you may need to seek medical care, even if it's not related to COVID-19. If you feel unwell and are unsure about your symptoms, contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1.

Testing for Children and Youth

If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, check if they need testing. For more information, visit BCCDC: COVID-19 illness in children.

Collection Centres

Learn more about testing and find collection centres where you can be tested. Click the map or visit the links below. You can also call 8-1-1 to find the nearest centre.

• Collection centre finder (Mobile and desktop)
• Collection centre finder (Internet Explorer)

It is particularly important to test symptomatic individuals who are at higher risk. These individuals will continue to be prioritized and includes health-care workers, essential services providers and individuals who are vulnerable to complications due to COVID-19.

Rapid Antigen Testing Kits

The Government of BC has made Rapid Antigen Testing kits available for use at home. Use a rapid antigen test to find out if you have COVID-19. The results will be ready in less than 20 minutes. For information on how to use a Rapid Testing kit, see BCCDC: Rapid Testing at Home.

Currently, individuals aged 18+ are eligible to get rapid antigen testing kits for free at some community pharmacies. Check the BC Pharmacy Association website for a list of pharmacies that are dispensing tests. You are allowed 1 kit every 28 days. You will need your Personal Health Number (PHN) to pick up your testing kit. For more information, see Government of BC: Rapid Antigen Testing kits

A test should only be used by people who develop symptoms of COVID-19 and want to confirm a positive or negative result. The tests are not suitable for international travel requirements.

COVID-19 Testing for Non-MSP Individuals

If you are in B.C. and are not eligible for MSP coverage, provincially insured health-care coverage for COVID-19 treatment may be available. This health care coverage applies to medical services related to COVID-19 infection. Services unrelated to COVID-19 that are performed on non-eligible MSP patients will remain uninsured. Your health care provider will be responsible for determining your eligibility for this coverage.

For more information on MSP and its response to COVID-19, see:

• Coverage Wait Period
• MSP response to COVID-19

Test Results

To learn more about how to get your test results and what to do once you receive your results, see:

• BCCDC: Test Results
• BCCDC: Understanding Test Results

Last updated: April 4, 2022

The information provided above has been adapted from the BCCDC: Rapid Testing at Home, BCCDC: Testing, BCCDC: Test Results, BCCDC: Understanding Test Results and Government of BC: Rapid Antigen Testing kits pages accessed April 3, 2022.