BONNYVILLE – After months of waiting, 5,000 rapid testing kits were dropped off at the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce on Monday.
The Workplace Rapid Screening Program was put on pause following a lack of testing kits being distributed to the Chamber from the province.
“We received 5,000 tests, which we suspect should last a couple of months,” says Serina Parsons, the executive director of the Bonnyville Chamber.
More than 50 local businesses have signed up for the program through the Chamber of Commerce and have been receiving enough rapid kits to test all asymptomatic staff members twice a week since spring.
However, the new year brought no new deliveries of rapid tests and as the supply diminished several businesses had to forgo their proactive testing program.
“Many businesses were waiting, so we are playing catch up. Hopefully the supplies last until we are able to request more,” said Parsons. “I don’t expect these to last quite that long but we are happy to be able to continue with the program for now.”
The Chamber tries to order enough kits in advance from the province to ensure that it meets the needs of businesses, while also allowing for more businesses to join the program, Parsons says.
According to the Alberta government, the delay of rapid testing kits for eligible but non-priority settings is due to a global shortage of kits available.
