Article content

Some people being screened for COVID-19 in Edmonton are being tested from inside their own vehicles.

Alberta Health Services has opened a new drive-thru clinic to test for COVID-19 in Edmonton. The clinic, which opened on Sunday, is one of three sites medical staff are referring people with symptoms who have called Health Link 811. Testing is provided by appointment only, and no walk-in visits are accepted.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or COVID-19: Drive-thru testing site opens in Edmonton Back to video

Dr. Mark Joffe, medical director for Alberta Health Services in northern Alberta, says the drive-thru will speed up the testing process and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

“They don’t have to leave their car. They don’t have to sit in a waiting room,” he said Sunday. “The idea is to make it efficient and prevent people from gathering as much as possible. So it limits the amount of exposure that an individual who’s being screened would have with other people.”

The location of the drive-thru is not being disclosed because it is not open to walk-up visitors.