Rapid test kits are slated to arrive in Warman, Martensville and Saskatoon on Thursday, October 21.
An estimated 3,000 rapid test kits will be made available to the public at the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce (PSCC) office on Klassen Street in Warman, according to PSCC Executive Director Debbie Brown.
Another 3,000 rapid test kits are scheduled to be available to the public at the Canalta Hotel in Martensville.
An estimated 6,000 rapid test kits are expected to be available at the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce office in Saskatoon.
Brown confirmed the shipment of test kits is expected to arrive Thursday in Warman. She said the public can pick up the kits between 12 noon and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 21 and between 12 noon and 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 22.
Details on distribution through the Canalta Hotel in Martensville can be obtained by phoning the hotel at 306-249-2555.
Brown said she is hoping to recruit volunteers from the business community to assist in the distribution of test kits to the public.
“We’re not sure of the details, but we’ll make it work,” said Brown. “We’re just happy to be able to help get these kits out to the public.”
The rapid test kits are not available at fire halls in Warman, Martensville or Saskatoon.
The provincial government initially named fire halls as distribution locations when it unveiled its planned rollout of 2.6 million rapid antigen ‘at-home’ test kits on Friday, October 15. On Monday, October 18, it was revealed that fire halls in Saskatoon and Regina will not be participating in the program at all.
During a conference call with journalists on Wednesday, October 20, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency President Marlo Pritchard confirmed that distribution of the test kits will begin this week, but the locations and availability of tests will be made public via the SHA website.
Pritchard said not all fire halls and chambers of commerce offices will be participating. It is a voluntary program, he noted.
“The locations that are participating can opt in if they so choose,” said Pritchard. “A list of locations will be updated on the SHA website as those deliveries arrive at those locations.
“It will be specifically up to the participating location whether they want to receive the rapid test kits. Once they are confirmed and delivered, we will put that location on the website.”
He said there is a possibility that city halls or town offices may be included in the voluntary program at a future date.
“At this time we are not excluding town halls,” he said.