Media Release

COVID-19 testing at 1284 Main St. closed today

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Thursday, July 2, 2020

The COVID-19 testing site at 1284 Main St., the MPI location will be closed at noon today for the remainder of the day due to lack of shelter from extremely high temperatures.

Winnipeggers who require testing for COVID-19 today are requested to attend the testing site at St. James Centennial Pool at 644 Parkdale St. today as staff from the Main St. location will also be redeployed there to accommodate any increased volumes of clients.

As temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius today a lack of available space for staff to recover from outdoor shifts creates an unsafe environment for WRHA staff. Staff and volunteers take shifts out of doors to meet and screen individuals from incoming vehicles

Clients are not impacted by the high temperatures at screening sites as they are required to remain in their vehicles throughout the testing process and are inside the garage area only during the time they are receiving a swab.

The cause of the malfunction remains under investigation and will be prioritized by both MPI and WRHA to address a repair as quickly as possible.

As temperatures are expected to remain high over the next number of days the WRHA is working together with MPI to address the air conditioning as quickly as possible and, if necessary, make alternate arrangements to provide appropriate areas for staff to cool down when not out of doors.

Staff are expected to be able to return to the Main St. testing location to welcome clients as early as tomorrow, July 3, 2020 however, the WRHA encourages Winnipeggers to attend the St. James location or to call ahead until this information is updated publicly.

We thank the public for their understanding and cooperation as we work to address this issue.