Today, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce announced that the Ontario Chamber Network has supported the delivery of 2.4 million free rapid test kits in over 105 communities across the province through the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Ontario and Canadian governments.
Through this initiative, the Thunder Bay Chamber has already distributed more than 7,400 free rapid tests to 120 small- and medium-sized businesses in the Thunder Bay District with more companies signing on daily. The program is helping small businesses keep their employees and families safe by curbing the spread of COVID-19 at work so that we can get on the path to economic recovery faster.
“Public health and the health of our economy are interdependent. That is why our Chamber is proud to distribute rapid tests to small businesses in the Thunder Bay District. We hope that through this program, we will be able to curb the spread and reopen our local economy safely,” said Charla Robinson, President of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.
The COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative provides free rapid antigen tests for employees of small and medium-sized businesses. Businesses (including non-chamber members) with 150 employees or less are welcome to participate in this program. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the workplace that might otherwise be missed, helping to curb the spread in the workplace, at home and around the community.
“With vaccinations on the rise and case counts lowering, rapid testing is another critical part of curbing the spread of COVID-19, contributing to the safe reopening of our economy. As the indispensable partner of business, we are incredibly proud of the Ontario Chamber Network that has quickly mobilized to put free rapid screening kits into the hands of small businesses across Ontario,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Interested SMEs can sign up at www.tbchamber.ca/rapidtest then order their two-week supply of rapid tests for pick-up at the distribution centre.
