Residents lined up Friday morning outside LCBOs across Ottawa in hopes of taking home a free COVID-19 rapid antigen testing kit, only for most to be turned away when they were told the tests hadn’t arrived yet.
None of the seven Ottawa LCBOs announced Thursday as distribution points for rapid tests had any in stock when doors opened on Friday, but a few lucky customers were able to get tests at sites such as the Rideau Street and King Edward Avenue location as shipments arrived during the day.
Ottawa Public Health said there is a “limited supply available in some locations” in an update shortly after noon.
The LCBO told Global News in a statement that Friday is the first day tests will “start” to be available at stores across the province but made no guarantees that all stores would receive shipments on that initial day.
“We expect most stores will receive supplies today, but cannot confirm exact arrival times at each location and do expect our limited supply to go quickly. We thank our customers for their patience and understanding,” the LCBO said.
An LCBO spokesperson added updates on supplies would be given on a store-by-store basis via its Twitter account.
Stores at Rideau Street and King Edward Drive, as well as at Innes Road and Tenth Line Road, were out of stock shortly after noon.
Residents took to social media Friday morning with photos of long lineups and complaints that the tests weren’t there in time for the stores’ openings.
The seven announced locations for distribution are:
- Bank Street and Walkley Road
- Carling Avenue and Woodroffe Road
- Rideau Street and King Edward Avenue
- Gloucester — Blair Road and Ogilvie Road
- Nepean — Hunt Club Road and Merivale Road
- Nepean — Strandherd Drive and Greenbank Road
- Orléans — Innes Road and Tenth Line Road
Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa’s medical officer of health, also said Thursday that Ottawa is expected to get 10 other community distribution sites for rapid tests starting Dec. 21.
Mayor Jim Watson said he hoped to work with the province to move that date up.