COVID-19 testing centre moves to Brantford auditorium

Testing centre moves in Brant community From CTV Kitchener's Zayn Jinah: The COVID-19 testing centre for the Brant community has moved and opened at a Brantford auditorium.

KITCHENER — The Brantford Civic Centre Auditorium is now the location of Brant community’s COVID-19 testing.

The Brant Community Healthcare System announced Monday they had moved their COVID-19 assessment centre from Brantford General Hospital to the auditorium at 79 Market Street South and are open to the public.

Hours for testing have also been expanded to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

These hours are currently longer than any testing centre in Kitchener, Waterloo, or Cambridge.

Those looking for a walk-in test, however, will not be accepted after 4 p.m. on any day.

The Brant Community assessment centre is also following new COVID-19 testing requirements provided by the province. Only those who are showing COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to a COVID-19 case, received an exposure notice on the COVID-19 alert app, are a resident or staff member of a place with a COVID-19 test, or are part of targeted tested by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care are eligible for testing.

The president of Brant Community Healthcare says he anticipates a record number of people tested in a single day following the first Monday at the new location.

"We're trying to make sure people get appointments within 24 hours of the time they make the call," said president David McNeil. "We encourage people to call for an appointment. If you can't get through to our call lines then you cansend an email and we'll get back to you with an appointment time."

Those who meet the requirements are encouraged to contact Brant Community Healthcare System and book an appointment in advance by emailing [e-mail] or by calling 519-751-5818.