Ontario expands access to workplace rapid testing

More than nine million rapid testing kits have been delivered to nearly 1,600 workplaces

The Ford government announced on Wednesday it has launched a new rapid testing portal to make it easier for essential businesses to access free rapid testing for their employees.

“To help stem the tide of the third wave and prevent workplace outbreaks, we launched the new rapid testing portal. We’re asking every business that’s able to be open, and particularly those in hot spots, to participate in Ontario’s COVID-19 Provincial Antigen Screening Program,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Join the nearly 300 essential industry sites that include rapid testing in their arsenal of safety measures to keep workers and their families safe.”

More than nine million rapid testing kits have been delivered to nearly 1,600 workplaces through the Provincial Antigen Screening Program, and test shipments to essential businesses have more than tripled since the beginning of April, according to a government statement.

The kits screen for asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 that might otherwise be overlooked.

Program eligibility has been expanded to include any business that is allowed to be open and requires staff to work on-site. Businesses can participate in the program by registering at ontario.ca/testingonsite.

This is in addition to the recently-announced partnership between the province and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce of a rapid testing initiative. The province has received orders for more than 850,000 rapid tests and is delivering them to small-and-medium-sized businesses in more than 40 communities across the province.

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