Timmins Chamber ready to re-stock businesses with rapid antigen screening kits to test for COVID symptoms
Officials with the Timmins Chamber of Commerce say they have a fresh supply of rapid antigen screening kits available to businesses throughout the region with less than one-hundred and fifty employees.
Since May, Rob Knox, the Chamber president said over fifty-thousand tests to approximately three-hundred and twenty-five businesses have been distributed, including to places such as Matheson and Moosonee.
“And in that time there’s been at least a dozen positive tests that have allowed businesses to react and pivot and work safely and we think overall it’s been a great success," he said.
Lisa Tremblay, an owner at Discover Fitness-Discover Performance said the test kits give her peace of mind.
“You know that safer that you can be the better it is right? Small business has suffered tremendously throughout COVID and closures. Any little extra step that we can do as a business to try and keep COVID out or at bay is a plus and the fact that the Chamber provided this initiative is fantastic.
Knox said the kits containing around two dozen nasal testing swabs, are four-hundred dollars, but businesses don't have to pay for them. He said the cost is primarily shouldered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and local chambers and sponsors.
“Given the cost of the testing might have proved onerous for a small business and they may have gone without testing so ... the Chamber believes this is a prudent thing to do to help small businesses and also to prevent further spreading of the virus.”
Business owners can request kits from the Chamber. They are required to assign a screening supervisor to take care of the testing and submitting results to the Chamber who forwards those to health officials.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
NEW Kim Kardashian brand kids' sleepwear and more: Here are some recalls to watch out for
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7
William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Federal government to announce funding to help Toronto host six 2026 World Cup games
The federal government is set to announce funding to help Toronto host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Is your password 123456? Here's why you should make it stronger
With the sheer number of passwords needed today, it may come as no surprise that over 60 per cent of Canadians feel overwhelmed, and over a third reportedly forget their passwords monthly.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.