Province distributing 44 million free rapid antigen tests
TORONTO – The province is distributing 44 million rapid tests between Feb. 9 and April 6, an eight-week period.
Each week, 5.5 million rapid tests will be made available through over 2,300 pharmacies and grocery stores as well as community partners in vulnerable communities across the province.
“As we continue to carefully ease public health measures, rapid tests are providing another layer of protection and offer the public an additional tool to confidently do the things they love,” Minister of Health Christine Elliott stated in a press release from the province.
On Feb. 14, Premier Doug Ford announced a scaling back of COVID-19 restrictions (see pages 1 and 21 for more information).
The free rapid tests are limited to one box (containing five tests) per household, per visit, and it’s left to pharmacy and grocery locations to determine how the tests will be distributed.
According to the province, as of Feb. 8, over 75 million rapid antigen tests have been distributed. Of the over 54 million rapid tests promised to Ontario by the feds, around 36 million have been delivered as of Feb. 9.
A list of participating retailers as well as information on how they are distributing test kits can be found at www.ontario.ca/rapidtest.
