Manitoba pharmacists can now perform rapid COVID-19 tests for travellers

Manitoba pharmacists can now perform rapid COVID-19 tests for people travelling outside the province, the provincial government announced Monday.

"This change builds testing capacity throughout the province, bringing COVID-19 testing to the neighbourhood level, and provides travellers with more choices," Health Minister Audrey Gordon said at a news conference announcing the change.

Travellers must go to the pharmacist with documentation oftheir travel plans, such as aplane or train ticket or hotel booking.

They must pay for the tests, because travel health-related services aren't covered under the Canada Health Act. The feeswill be set by the pharmacies providing the service.

The pharmacies can perform rapid antigentestsand rapid molecular (non-PCR)tests.

Pharmacies are responsible for acquiring the testing supplies, training staff and advertising at the site.

"We are pleased thatwe are now able to offer rapid testing, similar to that of other provinces across the country," said Ashley Hart, president of Pharmacists Manitoba.

"Rapid testing in pharmacies is another small step towards bringing Manitoba in line with the advanced pharmacy practices seen across Canada."

The prices for tests will vary, depending on the type of test required and the supplier, Hart said.

Different countries have different testing requirements, so travellers should confirm which type is required if travelling to a another country.

The Canada-U.S. land border will reopen to vaccinated travellers on Nov. 8, butCanadians returning to Canada will need to take apolymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or other type of molecular test, such asanucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).

On Monday, Manitoba started requiring people in a long list of jobs, includingcare home, daycare and hospital staff, to be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative test within the 48 hours beforea shift begins.

Rapid testing for those employees will be made available at workplaces. School division employees must have one supervised test a week, while other tests can be taken at home.

Manitoba pharmacists can now perform rapid COVID-19 tests for travellers

3 years ago

Duration 1:54

Manitoba pharmacists can now perform rapid COVID-19 tests for people travelling outside the province, the provincial government announced Monday.