The Peace River and District Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the provincial government and Alberta Chambers of Commerce partnership in distributing rapid test kits for Covid-19 to local businesses.
This program allows interested businesses and not-for-profit organizations to apply and receive rapid antigen testing kits directly from their local chamber of commerce.
Local chambers have to sign an agreement with Alberta Health to receive the rapid testing kits and a pre-approved screening plan. A chamber membership is not needed to access the testing kits.
The Peace River and District Chamber of Commerce agreed at a board meeting on May 19, 2021 to go ahead with the program, to give local businesses more access to rapid testing in town.
Executive Director, Ramona Thoma says the process is very easy and personal information is not needed for test results. “The businesses just need to report back to the chamber on how many tests they did and what the outcome of what the tests are.” Thoma says the chamber needs tests results back on a weekly basis, so they can collect the information and send the results to Alberta Health.
Thoma says to get testing kits, to contact the chamber directly by phone, email or at the chamber office.
The rapid antigen screening kits are not designed for definitive case testing. Operators and employees who receive a positive result from their rapid test will not be able to return to work and to isolate. Anyone who receives a positive result is encouraged to schedule a follow-up PCR test with the Alberta Health Service’s online self-assessment tool.
-Erika Rolling, Trending 55 Newsroom
