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After the Saskatchewan government recently said more than two million rapid COVID-19 testing kits would be available in the province, chambers of commerce throughout Saskatchewan are expecting to receive many of those tests.
Regina Chamber CEO John Hopkins says people have been coming to the building non-stop since Monday in anticipation of being able to get a kit.
The problem is, there haven’t been any available.
“We have had to tell everybody, ‘We don’t have any,’ ” Hopkins said. “I don’t know where that shipment is for the province, but we need to get it here sooner rather than later.
“We thought we were going to get them (Monday).”
Starting the week of October 18, Saskatchewan households will be able to take home a COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit to support asymptomatic testing. pic.twitter.com/4O3XzF7Peo
— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) October 16, 2021
When exactly the tests will be delivered to certain locations is now undetermined, but they are still expected to arrive sometime this week.
Some places are now coming out and saying they won’t be getting them, even though the government has said kits would be available.
Fire halls in the province were expected to get tests, but both the Regina and Saskatoon fire departments have said they are not participating in the rollout and will not have any kits available for anyone to pick up.
Saskatoon Chamber CEO Jason Aebig says Saskatoon is in the same boat as Regina when it comes to being in the dark.
He says chamber officials really don’t have any idea on when exactly these kits will be available.
“We don’t really have any more information in terms of a firm date, but we are ready,” Aebig said. “I know that the shipment that was coming was described to me as a bulk shipment.
“I don’t know for certain, but I think some of the delay is really logistics and really trying to break down that bulk shipment.”
Aebig says when the kits are available, there would be four tests per person, which would give that individual a two-week supply — provided they test twice a week.
People will be allowed to go to the office and request a test; Aebig says the chamber is asking that people wear a mask when visiting.
“We may jot down their name and a phone number but that’s it,” he said. “The goal is to get these tests out. The goal isn’t to ration them or get too picky about about how they get out the door.
“The goal is to flood the community with these tests for anyone who wants them to screen for their own use.”
A list of where the kits can be picked up when they are made available can be found by clicking here.