Ontario Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore is clarifying comments he made earlier about COVID-19 testing at pharmacies when he said drug stores will have a separate entrance for symptomatic people.

“I didn’t mean to infer that all of them would have that practice, it is best practice to have a separate entrance for those getting tested and that would be if they have that capacity the best means by doing it, and we’ve also heard from some pharmacists that the would do drive through testing. ”

The pharmacy testing plan will eventually expand to include up to 1,300 drug stores.

People can book a rapid test on site through an appointment or pick up take home PCR test kits at pharmacies to be dropped off later.

The province is also rolling out a holiday mobile COVID testing blitz beginning next at shopping malls and other large public spaces.

“We will be launching a pop up blitz in higher traffic public settings such as malls, holiday markets to provide testing to individuals without symptoms as well as provide vaccine education, and these sites will be announced in the coming weeks,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott.

Meantime, every student in Ontario public schools will be given 5 COVID-19 tests to take home ahead of the winter break.

Starting in February high schools will return to a regular timetable meaning students will take four courses per day.