Book an Appointment for Your COVID-19 Test

COVID-19 test appointments are only open to high-risk individuals and other priority groups identified by the Ministry of Health. Please read each question carefully to determine your eligibility status. Under the direction of Ontario Health, Hamilton Public Health Services and its healthcare partners, including St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and Hamilton Health Sciences, have updated testing eligibility to prioritize testing for those at greatest risk. Learn more about eligibility from Ontario Health.

Individuals with symptoms indicative of COVID-19 can be presumed to be infected with COVID-19. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, please isolate and inform your close contacts.

If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 right away. Anyone experiencing moderate to severe illness or worsening symptoms should seek care through their primary care practitioner or urgent care services. Visit needadoc.ca if you are unsure which healthcare service to use for your concerns.

By booking your appointment online, you acknowledge and agree to receive your appointment information by email. Your personal information is being collected through this site by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and by providing your email address, you consent to receive communications about any future St. Joe’s appointments by email. If you wish to opt out of receiving appointment information by email, please contact our registration agents or your care team.

Need help booking?

For help with appointments at the Ontario Health Pop-Up Assessment Centre at Mohawk College, please call 1-844-930-4071.

For help with appointments at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Assessment Centre on Upper James and Hamilton Health Sciences Assessment Centre at West End Clinic, please call 289-778-1465 (open 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 7 days a week).

Are you currently experiencing any of these issues? Call 911 if you are.

Severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, can only speak in single words)
Severe chest pain (constant tightness or crushing sensation)
Feeling confused or unsure of where you are
Losing consciousness

Click the below options to access additional information or online forms:

Frequently Asked Questions about Booking an Appointment Online for a COVID-19 Test

St. Joseph’s Mountain Assessment Centre and the Ontario Health Pop-Up Assessment Centre at Mohawk College now offer alternative specimen collection methods for children. The less invasive, Oral & Deep Nares specimen collection, will be offered to those attending the Mountain Assessment Centre. Learn more about Oral & Deep Nares specimen collection method here.

1. How do I book an appointment online for a COVID-19 test in the Hamilton region?

To begin booking an appointment online, please click the blue button on the HamiltonCovidTest.ca home page and answer the screening questions. These screening questions will determine if you are eligible for a COVID-19 test based on current provincial guidelines. If you are eligible for testing, you will be provided the option of available appointments to book a COVID-19 test.

Follow the instructions to book an appointment online for your COVID-19 test, and provide your email address if you would like to receive a confirmation email. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment, call 289-778-1465 for the COVID Support Service Centre operated by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Appointments are spread out evenly to promote physical distancing and allow for proper cleaning protocols.

2. Confirmation Emails

A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided when you book your appointment.

Please ensure that you check your ‘Junk’ folder in your email account for the confirmation email. Additionally, please confirm that the following email account has been added to your ‘Safe Senders’ list: donotreply@mydovetale.ca.

3. How do I cancel my COVID-19 test appointment online?

If you wish to cancel your COVID-19 test appointment online, please complete this form. Please note this cancellation form is not for appointments booked at the Ontario Health Pop-Up Assessment Clinic at Mohawk College. Please refer to your confirmation email from the pop-up assessment clinic for a cancellation link.

4. Who can book an appointment for a COVID-19 test online?

Anyone 12 years of age and up can book an appointment online. You can help someone book an appointment online on their behalf with their consent. Parents/legal guardians must book appointments for children under 12 years of age. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment, call 289-778-1465 for the COVID Support Service Centre operated by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

5. What information do I need to provide in order to book an appointment online for a COVID-19 test?

People booking an appointment online will be asked to provide personal health information including your name, birth date, address, phone number and other demographic information. The personal health information provided is securely stored and accessed by authorized individuals to provide care and manage the program.

6. What if there are no appointments available online to book a COVID-19 test?

We thank you for your patience and understanding while trying to book your appointment. Demand for appointments at COVID-19 testing and assessment centres in Hamilton is high and we are sorry if there are no appointments available to book online. Appointments are required to ensure public and staff safety at testing and assessment centres and to ensure people with COVID-19 symptoms are tested as soon as possible. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment, call 289-778-1465 for the COVID Support Service Centre operated by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. We encourage you to share more information about your concern by filling out an online form here.

7. Can I use my smartphone or tablet or computer to book an appointment for a COVID-19 test online?

Yes you can use a smartphone, tablet or computer with an internet connection to book an appointment online for a COVID-19 test.

8. When are appointments available for booking online to receive a COVID-19 test?

Visit the Hamilton Public Health Services website to view the list of testing and assessment centres, including their hours of operations.

If you wish to cancel your COVID-19 test appointment online, please complete this form.

1. Can I book an appointment for a child? Can I accompany my child to their COVID-19 test?

Yes, parents/legal guardians can book an appointment online for a child to receive a COVID-19 test. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied to their appointment by a parent/legal guardian.

2. What if I need to book an appointment for more than one person or multiple family members?

Each person requires their own separate appointment time. Only one COVID-19 test can be taken during a single appointment time slot. If you are booking for more than one person who requires COVID-19 testing (for example, family members from a household), please book an appointment for each person, in separate time slots.

For families, or parents/legal guardians requiring attending appointments together, please book appointments on the same day and staff at the testing site will do their best to accommodate your family. Please see below under 'Technical support' if you need to book for a family greater than 8. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment, call 289-778-1465 for the COVID Support Service Centre operated by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Children under three (3) months of age requiring a COVID test must go to the Emergency Department at McMaster Children's Hospital to be assessed and be tested. The Emergency Department at McMaster Children's Hospital is open 24 hours a day and located at 1200 Main St. West, Hamilton. Please do not book a COVID test online for a child under three (3) months of age.

Please call your healthcare provider if you have questions about testing a child under three (3) months of age for COVID-19.

I’m having surgery/a procedure soon and require a COVID-19 test as advised by my health team – what should I do?

If you are having surgery/a procedure at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton or Hamilton Health Sciences you may need a COVID-19 test before your surgery/procedure. Depending on the type of surgery/procedure you are having, you will be contacted by either the pre-operative clinic, your physician’s office or your surgery’s clinic if you are required to have a COVID-19 test.

If you are contacted by either a St. Joseph’s Hamilton or Hamilton Health Sciences pre-operative clinic, they will book your COVID-19 test for you.
If you are informed by your physician’s office or your surgery’s clinic that you are required to book a COVID-19 test, please call 289-778-1465 for the COVID Support Service Centre operated by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
If you are not contacted by any office or clinic prior to your surgery, you do not need to be tested.

If you’re having surgery at a different health-care facility – not at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton or Hamilton Health Sciences - and require a COVID-19 test as directed by your care team, you must book your appointment by phone. Please call 289-778-1465 for the COVID Support Service Centre operated by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

The COVID Support Service Centre does not book COVID-19 vaccine appointments. This website is only to book an appointment for a COVID-19 test. Click here for more information getting a COVID-19 vaccines in Hamilton.

1. Who is eligible for a COVID-19 test?

On December 30, 2021, the Ontario Ministry of Health announced new eligibility criteria for COVID-19 PCR tests to prioritize those who are at highest risk. Other priority groups, including household members of workers in highest risk settings are now prioritized. Please visit Ontario Health to view the current eligibility criteria.

2. Why do I need to answer screening questions before booking an appointment?

When you book an appointment online you will be asked to complete screening questions to determine if you are eligible for a COVID-19 test based on current provincial guidelines, which recommend that low risk, asymptomatic individuals should not be considered for testing. If you are not eligible for a COVID-19 test, please continue to follow public health guidance to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread in our community.

3. When I answered the screening questions, why was I told I was not eligible for a COVID-19 test?

St. Joe's Assessment Centre is only permitted to test those who fall within the Ontario provincial guidelines. The screening questions you are required to answer when you book an appointment are to determine if you are eligible for a COVID-19 test based on current provincial guidelines. If you are not eligible for a COVID-19 test, please continue to follow public health guidance to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread in our community.

4. Can I book a COVID-19 test at a Hamilton assessment or testing centre if it is required prior to international travel?

No, as of Dec. 11, 2020, individuals requiring a COVID-19 test for international travel are no longer eligible for a publicly funded COVID-19 test in Ontario. There are private COVID-19 test options available for a cost in Hamilton at Hauser’s Pharmacy and Shopper’s Drug Mart on Rymal Road. For more information about COVID-19 and travel restrictions visit the Hamilton Public Health page.

Please note that St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Mountain COVID-19 Testing Centre does not provide documentation required for private asymptomatic testing, including for travel purposes. The mydovetale test result print out may be insufficient for travel purposes or unacceptable proof of a negative COVID test by an airline or vacation destination.

5. Can I book a COVID-19 test at a Hamilton assessment or testing centre if it is required during my mandatory quarantine after my international travel trip?

No. Individuals who require a ‘Day 8-test’ as part of their mandatory quarantine after arriving from an international airline trip are not eligible for COVID-19 testing at a Hamilton assessment or testing centre. These individuals must follow the Government of Canada travel rules and guidelines for airport arrival testing and quarantine.

6. Can I get tested before I travel or attend an event?

The Testing Centre does not provide any swabs or testing required for travel or to attend/participate/gain entry to public events (i.e. sporting events, concerts, etc.). Please go to a pharmacy or lab offering asymptomatic testing.

Proof of full vaccination expedites entry to public events. Click here to make a vaccination appointment or to learn more.

Please note that St. Joseph’s Healthcare COVID-19 Testing Centre does not provide documentation required for private asymptomatic testing, including for travel purposes. The MyDovetale test result print out may be insufficient for travel purposes or unacceptable proof of a negative COVID test by an airline or vacation destination.

Yes, all appointments booked will be honoured but we will no longer be booking appointments for

When I answered the screening questions, why was I told I was not eligible for a COVID-19 test?

1. When should I arrive for my COVID-19 test?

Please arrive on time for your COVID-19 test appointment. Please do not arrive early for your COVID-19 test appointment. Appointments are spread out evenly to promote physical distancing and allow for proper cleaning protocols.

2. Do you need to pay for a COVID-19 test?

No one will be charged for a COVID-19 test in Hamilton.

1. Where do I find my test results or more information about self-isolating?

Visit Hamilton Public Health Services to learn how to access your COVID-19 test results.

For more information from Hamilton Public Health Services about COVID-19, click here.

2. I have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, what should I do?

Please visit the Hamilton Public Health Services website under Exposed to COVID for instructions on what to do if:

If you are identified as a close contact and are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated
If you are identified as a close contact and are fully vaccinated and/or previously positive for COVID-19

3. I have symptoms of COVID-19 and am NOT a close contact with someone who has a confirmed case , what should I do?

Please visit the Hamilton Public Health Services website under Have symptoms of COVID-19 for instructions.

For more information from Hamilton Public Health Services about COVID-19, click here.

1. Accessing the booking tool

Ensure your internet browser can access the booking tool by:

Turning off your ad-blocker or add site to safe list
Using a modern browser, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge (Chromium Version), FireFox or Safari
Ensuring your smart phone or device is up-to-date

2. Date of Birth

When entering in your date of birth, please entering it in as follows:

dd/mm/yyyy (including the slashes)

3. Confirmation emails

A confirmation email should have been sent to the email address you provided upon scheduling in the appointment was successfully booked.

4. Booking for a family larger than 8

A person can book up to and including 8 appointments for 8 different people per browser session. In order to create a new browser session, you can:

Open an incognito window using Google Chrome.
Open a different browser. Options include Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Clear the cache in the current browsing session (delete the browsing history – delete everything).
Additionally, you can book appointments from different devices.

For help with appointments at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Assessment Centre on Upper James and Hamilton Health Sciences Assessment Centre at West End Clinic, please call the COVID Support Service Centre at 289-778-1465 (open 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 7 days a week).

Please note the the COVID Support Service Centre phone lines will be closed December 25th & January 1st.

For help with appointments at the Ontario Health Pop-Up Assessment Centre at Mohawk College, please call 1-844-930-4071.

The COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centres in the Hamilton region are a partnership between Hamilton Public Health Services, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton Paramedic Service, McMaster Family Health Team, Hamilton Family Health Team, Hamilton Family Medicine (HFAM) and Good Shepherd Centres.

As always, regardless of need for a potential COVID-19 test, if someone is very ill and in need of immediate care, they should go to the nearest Urgent Care Centre, Emergency Department, or call 911.