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Rapid Antigen Testing Program

*January 11, 2022 Update*

Please note that as a result of recent changes to COVID-19 testing announced by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health on December 30 2021, the University is required to modify eligibility requirements for the distribution of rapid tests for the at-home rapid antigen testing program. York University will be in contact with those who are eligible to participate by issuing the individual an authorized letter to participate in the program.

Note: By accepting a package of rapid antigen tests, you agree that you will upload all test results (negative, positive or inconclusive) to the COVID-19 Test Result form. The tests are not to be shared.

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 eligible York community members,  York is offering an at-home rapid antigen testing program.  

This program is for eligible individuals only. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.) should stay home, self-isolate and complete a self-assessment using YU Screen.  

Due to recent changes to COVID-19 testing announced by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health on December 30, 2021, the University is required to modify eligibility requirements for the distribution of rapid tests for the at-home rapid antigen testing program. York University will be in contact with those who are eligible to participate by issuing the individual an authorized letter to participate in the program.

Eligible individuals may pick up rapid antigen test supplies at:

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

  • Your letter from York University authorizing you to receive rapid antigen tests (electronic or hard copy)
  • Your cleared YU Screen (electronic screenshot or hard copy)
  • Your YU-card or alternative identification

Pre-booking is not required. You will be registered at the pick-up location when you receive your supply of tests. 

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:

Follow the screening process shown in the provided step-by-step breakdown below.

Step 1: Gather materials

Wash your hands, gather your materials, open the test device (no more than 2 hours before use) and place it on a clean flat surface.

Step 2: Swab

Holding the plastic end of the swab, place the cotton end 2cm into your nostril, swirling five times in each nostril.

Step 3: Mix

Put the cotton end of the swab in the tube and swirl five times (for fifteen seconds).

Step 4 Squeeze

In the tube, squeeze the cotton tip to release the fluid then discard the swab.

Abbott PanbioTM: Put the blue cap back on the tube.BD VeritorTM: Put the white cap on the tube. 

Step 5: Drop

Abbott PanbioTM: Remove the white lid on the tube and put five drops into the testing device well.

BD VeritorTM: Turn the tube upside down and put three drops into the test device. 

Step 6: Read your result

After 15 minutes, check the device for your test result.

Negative: one red line at “C” level
Presumed Positive: two red lines
Inconclusive: No line or one red line at “T” level

Step 7: Report your result

Write today’s date on your test Write today’s date on your test device, take a photo of it and upload it at: yorku.ca/go/COVID19TestResult

Step 8: Disposal

Dispose of all used test materials (device, extraction tube, wrappers and swab handle).

Step 9: Next Steps

Once you have uploaded your result here, follow these steps:

Negative result: If you are subject to mandatory testing, you may access campuses for up to 72 hours. 

Positive result: Stay home, update YU Screen to report a positive rapid test. Once you complete the screening questions, it will alert a York Case & Contact Coordinator who will be in contact with you to provide guidance and clearance before your return to campus. 

Inconclusive result: Repeat test.

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

York’s at-home rapid antigen testing program is one way for individuals who are not fully vaccinated and have an approved exemption from York University to satisfy the mandatory testing requirement.  

If you have an approved exemption from York, a negative COVID-19 test must be uploaded through the COVID-19 Test Result form within 72 hours of coming to campus.

There are a variety of ways in which eligible University community members can get tested and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test:   

  • Participate in the at-home rapid testing program and report your test result through the COVID-19 Test Result form. 
  • Perform a rapid antigen test.

As a result of recent 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 result is highly indicative that the individual has COVID-19, and the individual is required to self-isolate. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.) should stay home, self-isolate and 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.  

  • If you are required to perform mandatory testing to self-monitor as informed by York University, your negative test result is valid for 24 hours.
  • If you are required to perform mandatory testing to satisfy the requirement of a York University-issued exemption, you may be physically on campus within 72 hours of a negative result.
  • If you are not required to perform mandatory testing, you may test yourself at your discretion.

All test results must 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. 

Upload your result to the COVID-19 Test Result form.

  • If you are required to perform mandatory testing to self-monitor as informed by York University, your negative test result is valid for 24 hours
  • If you are required to perform mandatory testing to satisfy the requirement of a York University-issued exemption, you may be physically on campus within 72 hours of a negative result.

Start self-isolation immediately. Complete YU Screen and answer YES on the question “In the last 10 days, have you tested positive on a rapid antigen test or home-based self-testing kit?” A designated staff member will follow-up with you to ensure public health guidelines are being followed. Next, you must: 

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 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), Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Stage, Schedule 1, Section 2 (3), under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 and York University's Policy on Access to Information and Protection of Privacy, the personal information provided on the form is collected under the authority of the York University Act, 1965 for the purposes of complying with current public health recommendations, directives, orders or legislation and 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.   
 

Test supplies are currently provided by the Ministry of Health. The Abbott Panbio™ test and BD Veritor™ test are being supplied at this time. 

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 (15-30 °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 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 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. 

Packages contain enough testing supplies to last for at least 4 weeks. Avoid picking up multiple packages to allow equal opportunity for all eligible university community members to participate in the at-home testing program. You must report your result after each use through the COVID-19 Test Result form. The testing program staff review the usage of tests and uploaded results to help better serve the community.  In compliance with the Provincial Antigen Screening Program (PASP), York University is required to report the usage of tests to the Ministry.  

No, the program is intended for eligible individuals actively coming to Campus. You can only pick up a package for yourself if eligible.   

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

Contact us 

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