TORONTO — Premier Ford has announced Ontario is expanding access to free Rapid Antigen Tests for the general public.
To continue efforts to help the province’s cautiously easing public health measures, the Ministry of Health announced the Ontario government is expanding access to free rapid testing kits to all Ontarians for at-home use.
Christine Elliot, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, indicated that as a result of the province’s direct procurement, it will distribute five million free rapid test kits each week for eight weeks through pharmacy and grocery locations across Ontario, and 500,000 kits each week through community partners in vulnerable communities.
“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, like visiting family or dining at their favourite local restaurant,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “In addition to the millions of rapid tests deployed each week to support priority settings, including hospitals, long-term care homes and schools, working with our retail and community partners we are increasing access to at-home rapid tests.”
With 44 million rapid tests available to the public for free in the next eight weeks, the province has also made it clear that it can fine any businesses and individuals who may be in breach of the government's emergency order which prohibits charging unfair prices for necessary goods.
Elliot added that the millions of rapid tests sent out each week will help support priority settings such as hospitals, long-term care homes and schools, and that working with retail and community partners will increase access to at-home rapid tests.
Participating retail outlets include Shopper’s Drug Mart, Loblaws, Metro, Rexall, Sobey’s, Longo’s and Walmart.
A full list of locations where the rapid test kits are available can be found here.
