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Rapid Antigen Testing Program

Since the start of the 2021-22 academic year, York University has offered a free testing program to community members on both campuses, in partnership with the Provincial Antigen Screening Program (PASP). Rapid antigen testing allows the University to proactively identify cases of COVID-19 that may have otherwise been missed, helping to reduce the spread of the virus while supporting community health and safety. 

To make rapid testing even easier and more convenient for York community members,  York is offering an at-home rapid antigen testing program.  

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and are encouraged to complete a self-assessment using YU Screen.

You can pick up a package of test supplies at these locations:

Keele:
YU Test Clinic, Ross Building, Room S166  
- Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

York International, York Lanes, Room 242
- Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bennett Centre for Student Services, 1st Floor

May 1 to May 31, 2022
-Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1p.m.- 4p.m.
-Friday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Starting June 1, 2022:
-Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
-Friday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Glendon:
Office of Student Affairs, York Hall, C112, C114, C133
- Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

To pick up your package, you will need to present:

  • Your YU-card or alternative identification
  • York U email address
How to perform a test
Submit your results

Step-by-step instructions of how to self-administer 

Select and download the instruction sheet for the type of test supplies you received:

FAQs about York’s at-home rapid antigen testing program  

As a result of the changes to COVID-19 testing announced by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, effective December 31, 2021, if a rapid antigen test is available to the person with any symptoms, the rapid antigen may be used to assess the likelihood that symptoms are related to COVID-19. A positive rapid antigen test in an individual with COVID-19 symptoms is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19, and the individual should self-isolate as per Public Health the guidelines.  Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.) should stay home, self-isolate and is encouraged to complete a self-assessment using YU Screen. A designated staff member will follow-up with you to ensure public health guidelines are being followed.

Testing should take place at home, prior to coming to campus. Students living on campus should complete the test prior to leaving their residence room/apartment.  

Test results are encouraged to be self-reported using the COVID-19 Test Result form. You will be asked to indicate if the test result was positive, negative or inconclusive and to upload a photographic image of the dated test device. 

You are encouraged to upload your result to the COVID-19 Test Result form.

A positive rapid antigen test in an individual with COVID-19 symptoms is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19, and the individual should self-isolate as per Public Health the guidelines.

It is encouraged that you complete the YU Screen form: https://yorku.ubixhealth.com/

A designated staff member will follow-up with you to provide support and ensure public health guidelines are being followed.

Repeat the test with new test supplies from your package.   

If the second test result is inconclusive, please contact YORK-YUTestingClinic@yuoffice.yorku.ca Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.) should stay home, self-isolate and it is recommended they complete a self-assessment using YU Screen. A designated staff member will follow-up with you to ensure public health guidelines are being followed.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and York University's Policy on Access to Information and Protection of Privacy, the personal information provided on this form is collected under the authority of the York University Act, 1965 for the purposes of protecting the health and safety of students, faculty and staff who are  studying or working on campus or living in residence.

If you have any questions about the collection, use or disclosure of this information by York University, please contact YORK-YUTestingClinic@yuoffice.yorku.ca.

At this time, the following brands of tests are being provided: Abbott Panbio™, BD Veritor™, BTNX Rapid Response™, and Roche SD Biosensor™.

Administering the test takes less than five minutes, followed by fifteen minutes to obtain results. 

Test supplies need to be kept at room temperature, between 2o C and 30 o C.  Testing supplies should be kept out of direct sunlight. If stored in a refrigerator, all kit components must be brought to room temperature (15°C -30 °C) for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to performing the test.

Please follow the expiration date provided on the QR code label on the outside of your test supply package. The Ministry of Health has extended the shelf-life for some brands of the testing supplies, which has been reflected on the date on the QR code label on your package. The QR code label and the rapid antigen testing program resource page will be updated, as required, to reflect any changes in direction from the Ministry of Health.

There is currently no direct cost for those participating in the York at-home rapid antigen testing program. The test supplies are currently provided by the University and by the provincial Ministry of Health. 

No, rapid antigen tests do not provide proof of testing for travel. For traveling purposes, please consult your local and destination guidelines regarding test requirements. Please consult the manufacturer's guidance for information on maintaining the integrity of the test supplies during shipping (e.g., air travel).

Avoid picking up multiple packages to allow equal opportunity for all eligible university community members to participate in the at-home testing program. It is encouraged to report your result after each use through the COVID-19 Test Result form.

No, you can only pick up a package for yourself.

Take a photo of the faulty supplies/package and email it to YORK-YUTestingClinic@yuoffice.yorku.ca, including your employee or student identification number.

The Ontario Science Table’s science brief on the “Use of Rapid Antigen Test during the Omicron Wave” released on February 10, 2022 provides the following guidance: “Self-collected combined oral and nasal samples have been previously validated in Ontario as a method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 via PCR;15 in this case, the oral swabs were from the buccal (cheek) and tongue surfaces. In addition, combined throat and nasal samples have been previously shown to have comparable sensitivity to nasopharyngeal samples. Although there is no direct evidence, the above studies suggest an approach of combining oral and nasal samples, beginning by swabbing both cheeks and the back of the tongue or throat, before swabbing both nostrils. Swabbing the back of the tongue or throat may induce a gag reflex, which is not dangerous and actually indicates that the location of the swabbing was appropriate. Video instructions on how to perform a combined oral-nasal swab can be found here for adults and here for children. This method will differ from test manufacturer instructions that describe nasal or nasopharyngeal sample collection; however, a combined oral-nasal swab can be used for any rapid antigen test, irrespective of the originally intended sample type.”

Contact us 

 For any questions, email: YORK-YUTestingClinic@yuoffice.yorku.ca