Canadian Press file photo

By Liam Verster

Asymptomatic Testing

Rapid COVID-19 test kits to be distributed through Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce

May 13, 2021 | 12:39 PM

The Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce will soon have rapid COVID-19 tests to distribute free of charge to local businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

The test kits are being provided to chambers across Alberta through a new partnership between the Provincial Government and Alberta Chambers of Commerce.

Larry Gibson, the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, says they will be getting test kits to distribute locally, but the details of the partnership are still being worked out and he doesn’t know when they will get the kits or how many.

However, he is excited to have them here to help businesses test asymptomatic staff and prevent the virus from spreading.

“It’s just one more tool that businesses can use to stop that spread if they do have either a close contact or a positive case in their facilities or their staff members,” says Gibson.

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The tests are less invasive than those administered by Alberta Health Services, and Gibson says a health professional is not needed to administer them.

However, there is some online training that needs to be done by businesses before they can use them.

“Part of getting the kit will be that they have to go through the training, just so they’re using them properly and they follow the process that’s being put behind administering that through a business perspective.”

Anyone that does test positive through these rapid tests will need to isolate and arrange to have a PCR test through AHS after getting their results.

The tests, once available, will be open to all businesses and not-for-profits that wish to use them, not just for members of the chamber. Those that wish to participate in the rapid testing program will need to apply through the Alberta Government’s website.