BUSINESSES CAN NOW GET FREE CHAMBER COVID-TESTS FOR EMPLOYEES

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — Customers in Orillia and Muskoka can rest assured when they shop at some local businesses that staff have been screened for COVID-19.

If your favourite shop has taken part in a new chamber of commerce initiative.

As of today small- and medium-sized workplaces can screen employees to help stop the spread of the virus by picking up test kits and monitoring workers.

“This is a game-changer,” Norah Fountain, executive director of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, says in a release today.

“It is a very exciting turn of events for our community.”

This as Ontario also announced Monday asymptomatic testing at Shoppers Drug Marts and Loblaws store.

The Orillia-Muskoka Rapid Antigen Screening Program has been developed collaboratively between the Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville/Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes chambers in partnership with the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce.

The program, paid for by the Ontario and federal governments, provides free rapid antigen tests for organizations with fewer than 150 employees.

It is designed to detect asymptomatic cases that might otherwise be missed, helping to keep workers and their families safe.

“Please be clear,” adds Fountain, “these are not COVID PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, but the screening tests for asymptomatic workers, which can only indicate if you are infectious.”

Businesses in Muskoka can order their tests from www.RapidTestMuskoka.com. In Orillia, tests can be ordered from www.RapidTestOrillia.com

As well as providing ongoing pandemic supports, chambers had been lobbying to get these rapid tests into the hands of businesses, faster.

“Chambers of commerce have been indispensable resources in their communities since the pandemic began,” says Sandy Lockhart, executive director, Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce. “Public health and the health of our economy are interdependent. Our chamber is proud to be part of this collaboration.”

Kelly Haywood, of the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber adds: “We hope that by distributing these rapid tests in Muskoka, we can help curb the spread and re-open our local economy safely. In just seven days, we built an online platform and worked out contactless ways to get these tests out across our community quickly.”

Brenda Rhodes, their counterpart in Bracebridge explained how screening can work to stop infection before it starts.

“This test can detect the protein days before someone is infectious. This means that if an employer is testing at the recommended 2 tests per week, and not on back-to-back days, you can drastically reduce the chance of spread in your workplace. This is a powerful and important tool.”

“The program is truly a game-changer for Muskoka, and for the entire province as more rapid tests roll out,” says Fountain. “As part of our dedication to pandemic support and recovery, chambers have a strong stake in keeping our businesses and customers safe.

The support of the Ontario government with help from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce was key in getting this regional program in motion.

For the Muskoka program, tests are being shipped and warehoused first in Orillia, and then distributed to each Muskoka chamber. Businesses can make an appointment to pick up tests from their nearest chamber.

All they need to do is sign up, watch a short video, sign a declaration and waiver, and designated workplace supervisors can then supervise staff testing themselves on site.

Workplaces must als use the online reporting tool chambers have provided. However, the chambers will only know the types and amounts of tests used.

They won’t know the results of any tests.

While the Abbott’s screening tests and distribution are free, a disposal cost might apply for parts of the test kits.

Presently, the chambers are absorbing this cost when businesses can’t do so themselves.

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