Advertisement

COVID-19: Kingston’s single LCBO rapid test location turning people away as shipment stalls

Click to play video: 'Ontario distributing free take-home rapid COVID tests over holidays'
Ontario distributing free take-home rapid COVID tests over holidays
A day after Ontario Premier Doug Ford said vaccinations and free rapid tests would be key in the province’s latest COVID-19 fight, test kits were snapped up when they were made available – Dec 16, 2021

Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced there would be select LCBO locations across the province would be offering free COVID-19 rapid tests.

When the list was announced Thursday night, Kingston had only one location on it, at Princess Street and Midland Road. Friday morning, eager residents showed up looking to receive their tests, however, the LCBO still hadn’t received its shipment.

An employee was turning people away, telling them to come back in the afternoon if they were looking for tests, and not alcohol.

Story continues below advertisement

A similar situation has unfolded in nearby Ottawa, which has seven participating LCBO locations. The single Kingston location comes as the city’s health unit reports the highest cases per capita in the country.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The LCBO posted a statement to its Twitter page, saying they ‘expect stores will receive supplies today’, adding they cannot confirm when the supply will arrive to each location, but don’t expect it to last very long.

It wasn’t long after the government agency tweeted out a list of locations which had already run out of the tests, with the Kingston location being one of them.

Story continues below advertisement

However, should residents miss out on tests from the LCBO, there is another pop-up test pickup site. On Saturday, between 12:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., free rapid tests will be available for pickup at the Rideau Heights Community Centre.

Story continues below advertisement

Tests are also being sold at select pharmacies across Ontario, such as Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Click to play video: 'Kingston reaches highest COVID-19 rate in Canada due to Omicron spread'
Kingston reaches highest COVID-19 rate in Canada due to Omicron spread

Sponsored content

AdChoices