The Alberta government will be joining with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce to distribute rapid COVID-19 antigen testing kits to businesses in their jurisdictions. The program will allow interested businesses and not-for-profit organizations to apply and receive rapid testing kits directly from their local chamber of commerce.
Local chambers have to sign an agreement with Alberta Health to receive the rapid testing kits and a pre-approved screening plan. A chamber membership is not needed to access the testing kits.
The Peace River and District Chamber of Commerce have not yet determined if they will be a part of the partnership with the government.
Executive Director, Ramona Thoma says they are waiting for the contract from the province and to pass it by the board of directors. “They’re going be free, all it will take from businesses is to pick the tests up at the chamber office and when they are done send them back to us so we can forward them to Alberta Health.” Thoma says it’s still up in the air if they will be doing the rapid test distribution or not, but sees no issue with the partnership across the province.
If businesses use the kits they will need to report back to their local chamber with the number of tests performed and how many positive results were confirmed with PCR testing. The information will be further shared with Alberta Health.
These rapid antigen screening kits are not designed for definitive case testing. Operators and employees who receive a positive result from their rapid test will not be able to return to work and to isolate. Anyone who receives a positive result is encouraged to schedule a follow-up PCR test with the Alberta Health Service’s online self-assessment tool.
-Erika Rolling, Trending 55 Newsroom
