North Perth Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are rolling out free rapid COVID-19 tests for small and medium-sized businesses in North Perth. The program is in partnership with the Ontario and Canadian governments
Businesses, including non-chamber members, with 150 employees or less are welcome to participate in this free program. Businesses must register for the program online, and the kits will be ready for pick-up on June 1st at the North Perth Chamber of Commerce building at 580 Main Street West Listowel by appointment. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the workplace that might otherwise be missed, helping to curb the spread in the workplace, at home and around the community.
“Our chamber is proud to distribute rapid tests to small businesses in North Perth. We hope that through this program, we will be able to reopen our local economy safely. Public health and the health of our economy are interdependent.” said Sharon DArcey, General Manager at the North Perth Chamber of Commerce.
“The tests will be distributed through participating local chambers of commerce and boards of trade in Ontario. Rapid testing is one of the key ways to keep workplaces as safe as possible. It will be an essential part of curbing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities so that we can get on the path to economic recovery faster,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
A designate from each SME, responsible for supervising the self-screening collection onsite, will be required to be the main point of contact between the Chamber and their business, holding the full responsibility of meeting all requirements to receive kits, training, testing, reporting and disposing of the kits. The accumulated data will be reported to the Ministry of Health weekly.
If a test results in a preliminary positive for COVID-19, the employee will be required to leave the workplace, arrange for a PCR Test within 24 hours at an approved COVID-19 assessment site, and self-isolate until a confirmatory test result is received.
“We encourage all small businesses to go online and review the streamlined process to order your two-week supply of kits. www.npchamber.com/rapid-test or contact the Chamber for details, 519- 291-1551.