Toronto 
Albertans with no symptoms of COVID-19 can now get tested at Shoppers Drug Mart and pharmacies in stores owned by Loblaw even if they are asymptomatic.
As per the news release, more than 50 Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw pharmacies in Real Canadian Superstore locations are already offering asymptomatic testing, and by September 1, 2020 all 234 of the company’s pharmacies in Alberta (including pharmacies at Independent Foods, Extra Foods, City Market, and No Frills) will offer asymptomatic COVID-19 testing.
The pharmacy test is a throat swab, which is sent to Alberta Precision Labs for analysis.
This is in addition to provincewide testing offered via AHS assessment centres and about 75 other community pharmacies that already offer tests.
HOW TO GET TESTED
- Only those who have no symptoms and no known exposure to COVID-19 can be tested at participating pharmacies.
- Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or known exposure must complete the COVID-19 self-assessment or call Health Link 811.
- AHS will directly contact any Albertan who tests positive to discuss the results, begin contact tracing, and protect the public’s health.
Asymptomatic testing
Asymptomatic Albertans are encouraged to complete the AHS self-assessment tool to book a test, or contact a participating community pharmacy.
Symptomatic testing
Any Albertan with symptoms of COVID-19 must book testing through AHS. Testing appointments for children with pre-existing medical conditions that have symptoms similar to COVID-19, such as allergies, must also be booked through AHS.
