KING-VAUGHAN — Stephen Lecce, MPP for King-Vaughan today announced the Ontario government is expanding access to free rapid testing kits to the residents of King and Vaughan for at-home use. Starting today, a total of 5.5 million rapid tests will be distributed each week for eight weeks through pharmacy and grocery locations across the province, as well as community partners in vulnerable communities.
“I am determined to ensure that our community gets their fair share of rapid tests for those that need them,” said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King-Vaughan. “By delivering rapid tests to 15 locations in King and Vaughan alone, we are helping to reduce risk for families. With Omicron in retreat, kids in school, small businesses open, we are on track to put this pandemic behind us.”
Province-wide, over 2,300 participating grocery and pharmacy locations will provide free rapid tests while supplies last, with a limit of one box of five tests per household per visit. Participating retailers have the ability to determine how tests are distributed in order to best serve the community, including through appointment bookings, at checkout or through online orders.
Free rapid testing kits are available in 15 locations in King Township and the City of Vaughan:
Nobleton Guardian Pharmacy (12931 Highway 27, Nobleton, ON L0G 1NO)
Kleinburg Pharmacy (5-10462 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, ON LOJ 1C0)
King City Guardian Pharmacy (27-1700 King Road, King City, ON L7B 0N1)
Walmart (3600 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S1)
Walmart (1900 Major Mackenzie Drive, Maple, L6A 4R9)
Drugcare Pharmacy (10-2563 Major Mackenzie Drive, Maple, ON L6A 2E8)
Pharmasave Cityview Pharmacy (551 Cityview Boulevard, Vaughan, ON L4H 0Z4)
Peace Medical Pharmacy (19-9699 Jane Street, Maple, ON L6A 0A5)
Healthshield Pharmacy (122-9401 Jane Street, Building A, Vaughan, ON L6A 4H7)
Bio Health Pharmacy (2389 Major Mackenzie Drive, Maple, ON L6A 4N7)
Shoppers Drug Mart (A-9306 Bathurst Street, Vaughan, ON L6A 4N7)
Shoppers Drug Mart (9980 Dufferin Street, Maple, ON L6A 4K5)
Fortinos Drugstore Pharmacy (2911 Major Mackenzie Drive, Maple, ON L6A 3N9)
Shoppers Drug Mart (2140 King Road, King City, ON L7R 1L5)
Shoppers Drug Mart (2943 Major Mackenzie Drive, Maple, L6A 3N9)
Ontario continues to lead the country in distribution of rapid antigen tests, having deployed over 75 million tests to date to provide an additional layer of protection for hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, and workplaces. In addition, approximately 26 million tests have been deployed to support school and licensed child care settings.
To date, Ontario has directly procured a total of approximately 157 million rapid tests, including 126 million between December 2021 and January 2022 alone. In addition to procuring additional rapid tests where possible, Ontario continues to also work closely with the federal government to address delays in shipments. Of the 54.3 million rapid tests the federal government committed to provide Ontario in January, about 36 million have been delivered.
A list of participating retailers as well as information on how retail locations are distributing rapid test kits can be found at Ontario.ca/rapidtest.
Additional locations in the City of Vaughan include:
Rexall (3900 Rutherford Road, Woodbridge, ON L4H 3G8)
Guardian Drugs (2-5283 Rutherford Road, Woodbridge, ON L4H 2T2)
Weston Downs Pharmacy (9000 Weston Road, Woodbridge, ON L4L 1A6)
Medbrands IDA Pharmacy (1-53 Woodbridge Avenue, Woodbridge, ON L4L 9K9)
Pine Grove Pharmacy (101-8077 Islington Avenue, Woodbridge, ON L4L 4K9)
Market Lane Pharmacy (28 and 29 – 140 Woodbridge Avenue, Woodbridge, ON L4L 4K9)
Shoppers Drug Mart (1-5694 Highway 7, Vaughan, ON L5L 1T8)
Shoppers Drug Mart (3737 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, ON L4H 0A2)
Shoppers Drug Mart (9200 Weston Road, Vaughan, ON L4H 2P8)
Shoppers Drug Mart (4000 Highway 7, Woodbridge, ON L4L 1A6)
Shoppers Drug Mart (5100 Rutherford Road, Woodbridge, ON L4H 2J2)
Walmart Pharmacy (8300 Highway 27, Vaughan, ON L4H 0R9)
Venice Pharmacy (76-3530 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, ON L4H 3T8)
Selecthealth Pharmacy (20-3931 Major Mackenzie Drive, Woodbridge, ON L4H 4G1)
Smith’s Pharmacy (3-3590 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, ON L4H 3T8)
Costco Pharmacy (71 Colossus Drive, Vaughan, ON L4L 9J8)
Food Basics (9600 Islington Avenue, Woodbridge, ON L4H 2T1)
Fortinos Drugstore Pharmacy (8585 Highway 27, Woodbridge, ON L4H 4Y1)
Fortinos Drugstore Pharmacy (2-3940 Highway 7, Woodbridge, ON L4L 9C2)
Prima Care Pharmacy ( 9-9600 Islington Avenue, Woodbridge, ON L4H 2T1)
Costco Pharmacy (55 New Huntington Road, Woodbridge, ON L4H 0P5)
QUICK FACTS
Free rapid tests provided by the government are intended for personal use. The province can fine any businesses and individuals who may be in breach of the government's emergency order which prohibits charging unfair prices for necessary goods.
A person who tests positive on a rapid antigen test is no longer required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test. If you test positive on a PCR, rapid molecular or a rapid antigen test, you must isolate. Visit Ontario.ca/exposed to learn more about isolation directions.
As part of the Provincial Antigen Screening Program, 3.62 million rapid antigen tests are being shipped biweekly to the education and child care sectors for use when children or staff are symptomatic.
PCR testing is available for eligible individuals at over 250 assessment centres or community labs, in addition to over 760 participating pharmacies, many of which offer pick-up/drop-off of self-collection kits. Visit Ontario.ca/covidtestinglocations to find a testing location.
On January 31, 2022, Ontario began its cautious and phased approach to easing public health measures, including increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in select indoor public settings as well as increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
Ontario has received a limited supply of Paxlovid from the federal government and is prioritizing treatment for individuals at the highest risk of severe outcomes. Visit Ontario’s webpage to learn if you are eligible to receive COVID-19 antiviral treatment and where to get it.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario Outlines Steps to Cautiously and Gradually Ease Public Health Measures
Ontario Updating Public Health Measures and Guidance in Response to Omicron
COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge
For public inquiries, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007).
For resources in multiple languages to help local communication efforts in responding to COVID-19, visit Ontario’s COVID-19 communication resources webpage.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.
Business who have questions about public health and workplace safety measures can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only.
Comments