As the holidays approach, Ontarians have robbed The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), not in wines and champagnes, but in rapid tests against COVID-19, offered free by the province.
Faced with the wave of contamination with the virus, the government has set up a system to distribute free antigenic tests in certain branches of the LCBO. On Friday morning, 100 LCBO retailers across the province handed out tests to residents, some of whom lined up outside to get the precious sesame.
“Our supply of COVID-19 rapid test kits is sold out,” the LCBO said in a Tweet Friday night. “Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
The Ontario government also confirmed on its website that the LCBO has no more tests to distribute.
On Wednesday, Ontario announced it would use certain LCBO locations as COVID-19 rapid test distribution sites to prevent the rise in contamination.
Following the rush to test, the Department of Health said it “recognizes that there is a significant demand for rapid tests and is pleased to see so many people taking the opportunity to add an extra layer of protection. Before the holidays “.
In a press briefing Friday, Premier Doug Ford announced that the province should receive 10 million additional rapid tests on December 27. He also called for more testing from the federal government.
The Ontario government has stressed that rapid antigenic tests should be used on asymptomatic individuals to detect if they are positive for COVID-19. For people who are showing symptoms of COVID-19, it is recommended that you do not use these rapid tests, but instead take a molecular test (PCR) at a health facility.