Waterloo region businesses will wait longer for rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits

Businesses in Waterloo region on the wait list for rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits may be waiting until next month to get them.

There were 2,000 businesseson the waiting list to receive rapid kits this week,according to Cambridge Chamber of Commerce CEO and president Greg Durocher. But he says they've been told the new COVID-19 restrictions announced by the province on Monday has delayed that.

"We have been updated as of Monday'sannouncement that we will notbe getting them by the end of this week or possibly not even by the end of January,"Durocher said.

He said there is "no timing on delivery" as the province provides more kits to long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals.

The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce first made test kits available to businesses in April 2021, and since then the chambers have distributed over 700,000 kits to local businesses.

Businesses with 150 employees or less can sign up for free rapid test kits and do not have to be chamber members.

The chambers have also created a website called ChamberCheck.ca where business owners can find more information about ordering test kits, masks, and learn about the COVID-19 safe ambassador program and government-funded programs, including financial supports.