Ontarians were able to pick up a free trial box at more than 2,400 participating sites since February, but the limited-time program was scheduled to end on April 8.
However, on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Health Minister Christine Eliot confirmed to CP24 that the initiative had been extended and that the county would continue to provide free rapid examinations until at least July 31st.
The axis comes with COVID-19-related hospitalizations increasing by more than 20 percent each week, and the head of the Ontario Science Board warns that the sixth wave of the pandemic has reached the province.
“As an important tool to help the county manage and deal with COVID-19, the government will continue to provide free rapid antigen testing to the general public through existing channels such as grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as in workplaces, schools, hospitals, homes. long-term care and nursing and other gatherings, “the spokesman said. “The province will also continue to provide free rapid antigen testing for asymptomatic screening in higher risk areas.”
The Ontario government has previously stated that it has about 5.5 million rapid tests per week.
The announcement that it will continue to distribute the tests until at least this summer comes after the announcement of the leader of the Green Party, Mike Schreiner, accusing the Ford government of denying access to the tests.
“The fact that Ontarians will no longer be able to get free quick exams from pharmacies after next week is ridiculous,” he said in a statement. “Public health experts are clear that regular and accessible testing is vital to keeping the current wave of COVID-19 under control.”
For a full list of sites that offer free quick tests, follow this link.
