Reports of threats, intimidation at B.C. COVID-19 test sites

The province says some people trying to get tested for COVID-19 have been intimidating, threatening, or verbally harassing frontline healthcare staff.

A statement from Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth points out that such behaviour is against he law and will be reported to police.

“The Government of B.C. recently brought into force the Access to Services Act to help protect the safety and well-being of health-care workers at testing centres, and impeding services or intimidating workers at these sites is illegal,” the statement reads.

A Vancouver Police Special Constable directs traffic outside a COVID-19 testing location on Thursday, December 16th, 2021 (CityNews Image)

Testing centres in the Lower Mainland have been seeing long lines as the Omicron variant pushes COVID-19 case numbers to all-time highs in B.C.

Some people reported waiting as long as six hours for a test, and others were turned away when the cold snap forced several sites to be closed during the holidays.

The province reminding people to respect healthcare workers.
Reports of staff at testing clinics being harrassed and intimidated.#bcpoli #covid19 @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/abi2SGqenG

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) January 6, 2022

Ahead of the holidays, testing sites met capacity limits of about 20,000 tests per day.

In the first few days of January, the average number has dropped to about 13,000 tests per day. 

In recent weeks, the province changed its advice to encourage only those with severe symptoms to seek molecular testing.

“As a reminder, if you are feeling unwell at all, even if you think it isn’t COVID-19, even if you think it is just a mild cold or flu, you need to stay away from others until you feel better,” the province said.

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Anyone needing a PCR test for travel purposes must seek out private testing through a pharmacy or a travel company. The BC CDC has provided a list of where to find those services here.