COVID-19 Testing in PEI

If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and self-isolate until the results come back. Everyone is also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Where to get tested?

Testing can be done at either scheduled clinics (by appointment) or drop-in clinics (no appointment necessary).

There is also testing at points of entry for asymptomatic travelers arriving in PEI.

Regularly scheduled clinics

• Borden-Carleton, 20 Dickie Road: Open 7 days a week. 8 am - 4:00 pm. for drop-in testing, and 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for workers (e.g. work-isolators, rotational workers and truck drivers).
• Summerside, Slemon Park (drop in only):  Monday and Friday 8 am - 4:00 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 8 am - 12:00pm. 
• Charlottetown, 64 Park Street: Monday to Friday 8 am - 4:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 8 - 12:00 pm.

Cough and fever clinics

Those experiencing symptoms who would like an appointment at the Cough and Fever Clinic, please call 1-833-533-9333

Cough and Fever Clinics:

• Charlottetown, 64 Park Street: Monday and Wednesday 1 - 4 pm and Friday 8-12 pm
• Summerside, Slemon Park:  Tuesday and Thursday 1 - 4 pm

When you should be tested

• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, including new or worsening cough, fever/chills, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches, unusual fatigue, or loss of sense of smell or taste, go to a drop-in clinic (listed above) and isolate until you receive results.
• As per applicable testing schedules during your first 8 days (or 14 days for international travelers) in the province; and
• Upon entry to the province, as directed.

If you have any health concerns or need immediate health information, call 811 to speak to an experienced registered nurse for advice on the best course of action.

Anyone with emergency medical needs should call 911 or seek emergency services when:

• experiencing discomfort or tightness in the chest;
• experiencing unusual shortness of breath;                                                          
• experiencing abdominal pain;
• experiencing prolonged and persistent headache or dizziness;
• an injury may require stitches or involve a broken bone;
• a child has prolonged diarrhea or vomiting; or
• a baby under six months of age has a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.

Point of Entry testing sites

Borden – There is rapid point of care testing at this site for testing on entry into PEI. This site is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Charlottetown Airport – For all commercial flight arrivals, there is rapid point of care testing for testing on entry into PEI.

Wood Islands – There is rapid point of care testing** for testing on entry into PEI. Residents in Kings County can use the Wood Islands testing site if they require testing but have no symptoms. Available times are 10 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5 pm, seven days per week. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should go to the Charlottetown testing clinic on Park Street. 

Rapid Point of Care Testing

The rapid point of care testing available at the Charlottetown, Summerside and Borden clinics, and the testing sites at Borden (the Confederation Bridge), Charlottetown Airport and Wood Islands use the Abbott ID Now rapid molecular test. The test uses a lower nasal swab, meaning that the swab goes no deeper than 1 cm into the nose.

A positive result on the Abbott ID Now is considered a preliminary positive until confirmed by a lab-based PCR test.

People who have a preliminary positive result from a rapid point of care test will be called directly by the Chief Public Health Office within two hours and be directed to a testing clinic to have a confirmatory lab-based PCR test. They will be required to self-isolate while waiting for the result from the PCR test.

Those who do not receive a call within two hours are considered to have a negative result. 

You can also view the negative results online, but please note there will be a delay (up to 72 hours) before the result will be available on the website. Note: Rapid test results from the Wood Islands ferry will not be available on the website.

Your test results

• If your test result is positive the Chief Public Health Officer will contact you directly.
• If your test is negative you can get the test result online within up to 72 hours of testing at My test result

How to get tested and receive a report of your test results before travel

You are responsible to know the requirements of your country of destination regarding COVID-19 test results. 

Request an appointment for testing and a report of your test result for travel as follows:

1.    Contact the appointment scheduling centre at least five (5) days before travel by phone 1-833-533-9333 or email COVIDtravel@gov.pe.ca. The scheduling centre will contact you directly to book a testing appointment within 3 days of your travel date to allow time for your test to be processed early enough to meet the requirements of your country of destination.

Please note: When you call the appointment scheduling centre, you are responsible to provide the following information: Travel date and location, Passport number and the date and time you need your appointment.

2.     Once you receive a scheduled testing appointment, but prior to the test, complete the online form to Request your COVID-19 Test Results Report.  

3.    Once ready, QEH Health Records will email your results report as a PDF document.

Note: Requests submitted after noon on Friday will be reviewed on the next business day, either Monday or Tuesday following a holiday weekend.