My Experience Getting a COVID‑19 PCR Test

Since I’ll be travelling this week on my first trip since the pandemic began, I decided to visit the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Montreal this weekend to get a free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19.

Note that I wasn’t showing any symptoms and haven’t been exposed to any confirmed positive cases; moreover, it isn’t mandatory to test for COVID-19 prior to travel between Canada provinces.

However, I decided to go ahead and get a test anyway, because I couldn’t know for sure if I’ve come into contact with any asymptomatic carriers in recent days, and wouldn’t want to put at risk any of the people I’m meeting on this trip. Plus, obtaining a PCR test will likely be an unavoidable part of our collective travel experience for the foreseeable future, so I wanted to get a first-hand understanding of the process.

In this post, I wanted to share with you my testing experience, as well as a few other individuals’ experiences obtaining a COVID-19 test from around Canada.

Different Approaches to COVID-19 Testing Across Canada

Before we begin, note that the experiences shared in this post are from Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. Each province has developed its own approach to testing, so you’ll want to check the COVID-19 testing guidelines for your own province for any specific requirements for obtaining a test, as well as the testing locations:

• British Columbia: Only individuals who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in contact with a case should be tested.
• Alberta: Universal testing is available to anyone who wishes to be tested.
• Saskatchewan: Universal testing is available to anyone who wishes to be tested.
• Manitoba: Only individuals who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in contact with a case should be tested.
• Ontario: Universal testing is available to anyone who wishes to be tested.
• Quebec: Guidance depends on your specific region, but the province has been encouraging widespread voluntary testing in recent months.
  • While Montreal’s website lists only those with symptoms and those who have been in contact with a positive case as eligible for testing, I was able to get tested with “upcoming travel” as a reason without any issues.
• Nova Scotia: Only individuals who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in contact with a case should be tested.
• New Brunswick: Only individuals who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in contact with a case should be tested.
• Prince Edward Island: Only individuals who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in contact with a case should be tested.
• Newfoundland & Labrador: Only individuals who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in contact with a case should be tested.

For provinces that do not have universal testing, the requirement is generally that you obtain a physician or health line’s referral to a testing centre to get tested.

My understanding is that while asymptomatic individuals who simply “want” a test for the sake of it are likely to be rejected, those who need a COVID-19 test for a specific purpose, such as fulfilling a country’s entry requirements for upcoming international travel, should still be able to get one.

COVID-19 Testing Experience in Quebec

The Hôtel-Dieu Hospital is one of 20 testing locations in Montreal, and is available on a walk-in basis from 8am to 8pm every day of the week.

I showed up at around 3pm on a Sunday for my test.

Following a series of signs, I eventually made my way to one of the hospital’s side entrances. A security guard offered me hand sanitizer, and even though I was wearing a cloth mask, he insisted that I replace it with a disposable medical-grade mask instead.

A series of socially-distanced waiting spots had been marked out down a long hallway. However, while I had been told to expect up to a one-hour wait, I was happy to see that there was in fact no wait at all.

Pretty soon, I found myself at the socially-distanced check-in desks, face-to-face with a nurse (who wore a mask, face shield, and full PPE) as she took down my information. I was asked for my reason for getting tested (upcoming travel), whether I presented any symptoms (no), and whether I had come into contact with any positive cases recently (not that I knew of).

As it relates to the nasopharyngeal swab test, she also asked me if I had any nosebleeds recently. I told her I had a light one last week, which seemed to be fine.

From there, I was handed two sheets of paper: a registration form to pass along during the next step upstairs, and another form that would be my proof of testing for me to keep.

I was shown into a large hospital elevator and given another few dollops of sanitizer by a dedicated “elevator attendant” as I made my way inside.

Upstairs, I followed the path on the ground to another room in which to complete my registration. Along the way, I was asked to retrieve my Health Card and sanitize it under a dedicated sanitizer dispenser. Note that while it’s encouraged to present your Health Card, even those without provincial health coverage should be able to get tested.

To complete my registration, I was asked for my full name, phone number, email address, and postal code. This information was then printed on a set of three stickers: one sticker was pasted on each of my sheets of paper, while a third was kept by the staff member completing the registration.

From there, I continued to the testing area. It’s been a while since I’ve set foot in a hospital, and I’ve heard from others that the PCR test can get quite uncomfortable, so I can’t deny that I was feeling just the slightest bit of apprehension at this point.

Before I knew it, though, I found myself in the testing room, where the nurse walked me through the testing process:

• First, there’d be a throat swab, which I was told “may trigger the gag reflex”.
• Then, there’d be a nasal swab deep in my sinus, which I was told “does not hurt, but is uncomfortable”.

On that note, I lowered my mask and leaned my head back, ready to get it over with. Two long sticks with a soft brush at the end (kind of like a pipe cleaner) went down my throat and sinus, and in both cases I must’ve made some involuntary gagging and humming noises that would’ve been quite embarrassing in any other context.

The nasal swab was definitely an uncomfortable sensation, but no worse than that. The nurse counted a total of “1… 2… 3… 4… 5…” rotations of the swab, and the process took about 10 seconds to complete.

And that was it! After the two swabs were complete, I was free to leave, collecting a few more dollops of hand sanitizer on my way out. The nasal swab left a slightly tingly sensation in my sinuses, and I had to crinkle my nose a fair few times to get rid of it. I certainly didn’t like the feeling, but hey, I’m sure it beats being on a ventilator.

Just over 24 hours later, I received my test results via email:

I was happy to see that the test result was negative, as expected, allowing me to take my trip later this week in good conscience.

Moreover, I noted that the confirmation email clearly displayed the date of the test, as well as the declaration that “the test administered is a commercial PCR test kit approved by Health Canada”, which should be enough to fulfill the COVID-19 entry requirements of most countries around the world.

COVID-19 Testing Experience in Ontario

In addition to my own testing experience, a few members of the Prince of Travel team recently obtained COVID-19 PCR tests as well, and I asked them to write up a few bullet points about their experiences.

My assistant Rachel recently obtained a test in Ottawa as a precautionary measure prior to taking a domestic trip. Here’s her account of the experience:

• Went on Saturday, so only thee Brewer Park location was open (no option to make appointment online)
• Arrived at 11am, 20 people allowed inside the arena, rest have to wait outside
  • Around 8 people outside when I got there
• All people inside and outside the arena are waiting to register
• About 30 minutes before going inside arena, then another hour before I could register
• They ask basic questions about your symptoms, travel history
  • Nurses are not dressed in full PPE, just gloves and mask
• Must remove your mask and put on the one they give you (basic blue surgical mask)
• After registering, another 30 minutes or so before my turn
• Test is pretty uncomfortable; there is a throat swab and nasal swab
  • Could possibly trigger gag reflex
• Was advised results would be within 48 hours
  • Give you a link to check your results, pretty simple
  • Will call if it’s positive
• About 3 hours in total
  • Might be shorter at other locations during the work day, since only Brewer Park is open on weekends
  • Inevitable long wait due to safety precautions, cleaning every chair between guest, wiping registration desk

In addition, Prince of Travel contributor Amy, based in Toronto, shares the following account from her COVID-19 testing experience with her family of five, which they completed yesterday upon returning from a trip to BC:

• Came back from BC, and decided to go for COVID-19 testing even though it’s not required for travel between Ontario and BC, but as numbers in BC are rising and the kids are going back to school, we wanted to make sure they were OK to go back
• Did not need to show symptoms to get tested, as long as there was a concern of potential exposure
• Went on the website of the closest hospital to us; they had a walk-in assessment centre, but registration must be done over the phone before going, so we called the hospital’s number to register
• Staff answering the phone asked for our name, health card number, address, contact number, email, any symptoms
• Was told to proceed to walk-in assessment centre anytime during operating hours of 9am to 9pm on the same day
• Drove to hospital, parked, lined up in front of the assessment tent in a socially-distanced manner
• It was a short line; we were 3rd in line, and it took 5 minutes before our turn
• Once it was our turn, we went inside the tent, and were directed to a numbered partitioned area
• Doctor did a quick assessment asking about symptoms
• Nurse returned within a couple of minutes to do the swab, which she put up the nose, twisted quickly and removed
• Wasn’t a particularly horrible experience, but slightly uncomfortable, giving you the sensation of wanting to sneeze and tear up at the same time – the kids had watery eyes but smiles, to give you an idea
• Signs posted said test results within 96 hours, but the doctor advised it was more like 48 hours; currently awaiting test results

COVID-19 Testing Experience in British Columbia

Meanwhile, Prince of Travel contributor T.J., based in Vancouver Island, shares the following account from his wife, who had developed some cold symptoms recently and was therefore encouraged by the province to seek testing:

• Called central COVID-19 testing hotline to schedule appointment at mobile clinics
• Have to be exhibiting some sort of symptoms to get tested (apparently BC does not have capacity for testing everyone)
• Was given an appointment the same day (we live in a smaller town, so it may be different in the city)
• Drove to hospital with mobile testing clinic
• Drive-thru service
• Rolled up, unrolled window, brought mask down, swabbed (10 or so rotations, seemed longer and more painful than in Montreal, had nosebleed)
• Follow up info: while you are waiting for results, make a list of people you’ve been in contact with; if positive, then the list gets put into tracking system for contact tracing
• Results in 24 hours
• Sign up for profile on BC Health Portal website (if positive, they call directly)
• Must log in to check, no notification of when results were ready

COVID-19 Testing Experience in Alberta

Longtime Prince of Travel reader Arsalan H., based in Edmonton, was generous enough to share his COVID-19 PCR testing experience in the province with us:

• I went online to the Alberta Health Website, filled out a survey, and arrived at the online booking form at the end. 
• Got to choose my location and preferred time slot.
• Booked an appointment for the end of the day around 4:30pm. Free parking on site. 
• Outside the gymnasium there are two lines, one for walk in, and one for scheduled appointments. Both lines were very small.
• Go inside. Put on surgical mask. Hand sanitize. 
• Fill out some basic paperwork, show your ID, stand in line.
• A nurse in full PPE (gowns, mask, gloves) comes to get you and shows you to your testing booth.
• You sit in a chair, answer a few more questions.
• The swab takes place. Feels like a tickle, goes back farther than you expect! Not too bad.
• You are free to go home. I was in and out in under 30 minutes. 
• In 48 hours I got a phone call with my result. It is a robot if negative, and a real person if positive. 
• Overall, a pretty slick experience. Easy to book appointments online, and very efficient once I arrived. 

However, Arsalan also notes that Alberta has recently tightened its criteria for who is eligible for testing, although thankfully there is an exception for people who need a test for the purpose of travel. Currently, COVID-19 testing in Alberta is recommended for:

• Albertans with symptoms of COVID-19;
• Albertans who are close contacts of a confirmed case, whether symptomatic or not;
• Albertans who are linked to a known outbreak, whether symptomatic or not; and,
• Asymptomatic Albertans who are:
  • School teachers and/or school staff;
  • Healthcare workers;
  • Staff and/or residents at congregate living facilities, including long-term care;
  • Experiencing homelessness; or
  • Require asymptomatic testing for the purpose of travel

Conclusion

Getting tested prior to travel is a good precaution to take prior to travelling to a different province, and is almost always mandatory to board international flights and cross borders in the current climate.

Since Canada has done a pretty good job all around of making COVID-19 PCR tests available to the public, it’s my understanding that anyone who needs a PCR test prior to travel should be able to get one by looking up their local testing guidelines, procedures, and locations and acting accordingly.

The test itself can be physically uncomfortable, but is really no worse than that, and it’ll be over within a few seconds. I hope the experiences shared in this post gives you a better understanding of this new component of our collective reality, and I’d welcome any other travellers who’ve recently gotten PCR tests (in Canada or globally) to share their experiences in the comments below as well.