NORTH BATTLEFORD — The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce has stopped giving out free COVID-19 test kits, wrapping up the essential service that began during the pandemic. The last kits were distributed last week.
Linda Machniak, chief operating officer, shared that the decision felt appropriate.
“The need for test kits has gone down,” Machniak said.
The chamber was one of the first places in the community to offer these kits and has provided thousands over the years.
“The national government and the provincial government recognize that the Chamber of Commerce network across Canada, has an office location in all the major communities, certainly in the country,” she explained. “This was the network to that could be available to support communities.”
At the start of the pandemic, the Chamber used a drive-through method to keep everyone safe, with volunteers from the North Star Hockey Club helping to distribute the kits.
However, Ottawa announced in May to stop supplying provinces and territories with free COVID-19 rapid tests to reduce spread and health-care costs, according to CBC News.
Machniak said the Chamber was informed earlier this year that no more shipments would be sent after February.
Currently, the federal government has about 70 million rapid tests available, but around 3.6 million of these have expired. More than three million tests have already been allocated to various provinces and territories.
The Chamber encourages everyone to stay healthy this fall and seek medical advice as needed. For more information on testing options, residents can check with local healthcare providers.
