Long line forms outside Saskatoon location offering COVID-19 rapid test kits
A long line of people could be seen outside the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning, waiting to pick up rapid COVID-19 test kits.
"There was lots of interest for the rapid tests starting right at 8:30," Chamber CEO Jason Aebig told CTV News.
"We had an all hands on deck approach here this morning to distribution."
Chambers of commerce were among the locations the Saskatchewan government announced would be distribution points for rapid test kits. The kits are offered free of charge.
Fire halls are also among the locations that are offering the kits. However, the Saskatoon Fire Department opted out of the distribution program due to its COVID-19 protocols.
While the tests are not as accurate as those which use the PCR method, they can serve as a first line of defence for people wanting to have an idea of their COVID-19 status.
Results obtained through the self-administered tests can not be used as proof of a negative result under the province's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Aebig said the Saskatoon chamber aims to hand out the tests between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
"We're told we will be restocked regularly. We're not sure what that looks like just yet," Aebig said.
Aebig said the chamber ran out of all 3,300 of their tests on Tuesday and doesn’t know when they’ll get more.
Tests were also handed out at Warman City Hall – with their supply of 3,500 tests, they are down by about 800 so far.
Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk said he is glad they can help distribute the tests and give a sense of relief to some.
Warman dad Garett Mathiason has two kids, age two and six and wanted to get the tests for his family’s peace of mind.
“My six-year-old has a pediatric heart condition so he’s medically vulnerable as well, so testing is important for us to keep our family safe and others in the community safe as well,” Mathiason said.
Mathiason says this is the second box he’s picked up, planning to have the whole family take the test on Sundays so that they feel confident heading into the new week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.