VCC partners with VCH to support access to COVID-19 testing

Vancouver Community College (VCC) was contacted on Friday by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), and the VCC Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and Departments of Safety/Security and Facilities have since been working with VCH to help meet the need for increased testing sites for COVID-19 in Vancouver.

Starting this week, our parking lot at the Broadway campus (north of building B, large lot) will be used by VCH for a new COVID-19 testing location. The Public Heath Office (PHO) has asked for more sites to be made available as a key part of their plan for increased COVID-19 testing and tracing.  

Testing locations allow for health care workers, essential service providers, and the public to easily and safely access a COVID-19 test without needing to leave their vehicle or enter a public building like a doctor’s office or health clinic.

VCC is proud to be a partner with VCH and the Ministry of Health, and to support all efforts to keep our communities safe and healthy. 

For staff, students, or visitors who need parking, there will continue to be street parking as available, and the east (paid) parking lot (beside building B) will remain available.

VCH will be working with our teams to ensure that strict safety measures are adhered to. As well, Vancouver Police will be attending the testing site to manage car traffic and pedestrian safety.

Once again, we would like to thank everyone in our VCC community for doing their part to help keep everyone safe and healthy. 

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Frequently Asked Questions  

What is a testing location?

Testing locations allow for health care workers, essential service providers and the public to easily and safely access a COVID-19 test without needing to leave their vehicle or enter a public building like a doctor’s office or health clinic. This greatly reduces the risk of spreading the virus.  

Are testing sites a risk to the public?

No. Medical staff are on site, as well as police officers, to ensure that all health and safety protocols are followed. The public remains in their car during testing.  

When will the testing location be operating? 

VCH is working to have the VCC location up and running this week. It will run Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except statutory holidays). 

Can I access testing through the location at VCC?

Yes. The VCC COVID-19 testing site is open to health care workers, essential service providers, and the public (children over 12 years old). Learn more about COVID-19 testing in BC.

Who can I contact if I have questions about access to the parking lot?

Please contact Surinder Aulakh, VCC Director of Safety, Security and Risk at saulakh@vcc.ca.