TORONTO — Ontarians now have easy access to free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests for the next couple of months.
The government on Wednesday began offering test kits at no charge through selected grocery stores, pharmacies and other settings.
However, a check of various participating outlets in Thunder Bay during the noon-hour showed that supplies had not yet reached all locations.
One pharmacy that did receive a shipment had handed out all of its testing kits by late afternoon.
The provincial website shows there are 17 participating locations in the city, including most Shoppers Drug Marts, Janzen's Pharmacy, Dawson Heights Pharmacy, Walmart, Metro and Rexall.
Five million tests will be available each week for the next eight weeks through grocery stores and pharmacies.
Another 500,000 will be provided weekly through community partners for vulnerable populations.
The province is limiting distribution to one box of five tests per household visit.
The kits are intended for personal use.
Individuals who test positive on a rapid antigen test are no longer required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test.
However, they are required to isolate.
More information about isolation directions is available online.
