Free RATs (Rapid Antigen Tests) are coming to a number of pharmacy and supermarket locations in Northumberland, starting tomorrow, Feb. 10.
The Ontario government announced today, Feb. 9, it is expanding access to free COVID-19 rapid testing kits to the public for at-home use. Ontario is expected to distribute five million tests each week for eight weeks to pharmacy and grocery locations throughout the province. In total, the province is making 44 million rapid tests available for free to the public over the coming weeks.
“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 a press release. “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.”
The RATs will be available in more than 2,300 participating locations while supplies last, with a limit of one box of five tests per household per visit. Retailers will receive supply from the province each week and have the ability to determine how tests are distributed in order to best serve the community, including through appointment bookings, at checkout or through online orders.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini, in a press release, noted residents should be courteous and kind when seeking out the free rapid tests and also emphasized that, after the initial rush, there would be more in the pipeline.
“Please be decent, please be kind. Understand there will be an initial rush, and that will level out as we have seen in the past,” said Piccini.
Cobourg locations include:
Walmart, 73 Strathy Rd.
Shoppers Drug Mart, 270 Spring St.
Cobourg Care Pharmacy, 5A-609 William St.
York Super Pharmacy, 500 Division St.
Cobourg Drug Mart, 6A-9 Elgin St.
Metro, 1111 Elgin St.
Port Hope locations include:
Davis Your Independent Grocer, 20 Jocelyn Rd.
Health Centre Pharmacy, 5-15 Henderson St.
Food Basics, 125 Hope St. South
Brighton location include:
Sobeys, 14 Main St.
Brighton Clinic Pharmacy, 45-46 Prince Edward St.
Rexall Pharma Plus, 1 Main St.
Campbellford locations include:
MacLaren Pharmacy, 79 Bridge St. East
Rx Drug Mart, 16 Grand Rd.
There are also locations in Hastings and Warkworth:
Johnston’s Pharmacy, 6 Front St. E., Hastings
Warkworth Pharmacy, 26 Main St., Warkworth
Piccini noted that those locations that met the requirement were selected for the distribution of the free rapid tests. Those
locations that might still be interested can still apply.
The RATs are free for personal use. The province 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.
