There’s a new COVID-19 testing clinic at Union Station for travellers heading to Pearson

While pre-departure COVID-19 testing arguably remains one of the biggest barriers to travel’s recovery, efforts are being made to make access to testing a little easier for those who need it.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), Switch Health and Metrolinx have teamed up to offer travellers heading to Toronto Pearson International airport on the UP Express a new option for pre-departure testing, located at the UPStairs lounge on the second floor above the Union Station UP Express platform.

Open to everyone who is asymptomatic, the new clinic provides “another convenient, affordable testing option for commuters using UP Express, GO Transit riders, residents and visitors to the Central Business District,” the GTAA said in a news release on Friday (March 11).

READ MORE: Testing “decimating” business travel, says Roundtable; possible announcement “in the coming days”

The clinic operates in the same way as the Switch Health-run “Healthy Travel” clinic onsite at Pearson.

Travellers book an appointment by visiting Switch Health's website, arrive at the established time for their test and receive the results electronically from Switch Health through their proprietary patient portal, ASMO.

Antigen test results are available within one hour, meaning that shortly after the 25-minute UP Express ride to the airport, travellers will have their travel-ready results in hand for the next step in their journey.

"We are intent on making air travel more convenient for our valued passengers through Healthy Travel initiatives just like this one," said Deborah Flint, president and CEO of the GTAA. "We couldn't be more pleased to partner with Switch Health and Metrolinx to bring this new service to those travelling multi-modally."

The new clinic at Union Station will operate from Monday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. To learn more or to book a test, go to switchhealth.ca/union.

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