The hours of operation for the COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in Regina are expanding, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said.
Beginning Wednesday, the site will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
“With the increase in COVID-19 variants of concern in the Regina area, it’s more important than ever to get tested, even if you have mild symptoms or feel you’ve been in a situation where transmission has occurred,” said the authority in a press release Wednesday.
“Extended testing hours will remain in effect until testing demand and the spread of COVID-19 in Regina has decreased.”
SHA said the drive-thru site, located at Evraz Place, is experiencing longer than expected wait times due to the increase in demand.
“The drive-thru testing sites are first-come, first-served, similar to a walk-in clinic, which means that wait times are expected and varied in length,” SHA said.
“The average wait time to get a test at the Regina drive-thru site varies significantly by day and hour of day — from no waits to three or more hours.”
SHA said residents need to bring their Saskatchewan health card when visiting the drive-thru testing site. Residents should have a mask ready for during the registration process.
As of Tuesday, 1,039 of the 1,942 active COVID-19 cases in the province were in the Regina zone. In addition, 1,298 of the 1,575 variants of concern identified in Saskatchewan are in the Regina region.