Ontario sending COVID-19 rapid screening tests to businesses

Ontario is sending rapid screening tests to chambers of commerce to help small and medium-sized businesses screen employees for COVID-19.

The province says the program will screen for asymptomatic cases in the workplace that might otherwise be missed.

“Rapid testing is one of the key ways to keep workplaces as safe as possible during the pandemic as we wait for vaccinations to roll out,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“It will be an essential part of curbing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities so that we can get on the path to economic recovery faster.”

More than 760,000 rapid test kits have already shipped to 28 chambers.

The province says more than 50 others have expressed interest in participating.

A COVID-19 rapid screening test can be done anywhere and takes about 15 minutes to get a result.

The government says any positive results from these tests must be confirmed with PCR testing.