COVID-19 file photo (Dreamstime)

By Justin Goulet

Alberta improves access to rapid COVID tests for businesses and service providers

Apr 26, 2021 | 10:29 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The province is boosting access for organizations to deliver rapid testing programs.

Businesses and service providers that want to access free rapid COVID-19 tests from the provincial government will no longer have to have a health-care provider oversee their screening process.

This means that organizations will have to opportunity to take part in the rapid testing program completely independently and without the burden of finding and paying for a health-care provider.

The Alberta Government noted that this will also free up health-care worker capacity as the pandemic continues.

Minister of Health Tyler Shandro said, “as cases are on the rise, we know that many organizations can benefit from rapid screening programs, in order to catch cases early and break chains of transmission.”

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“We have heard from Alberta’s business community and other organizations that hiring a health-care provider was a significant and costly barrier for many organizations.”

Shandro added that the change will allow more organizations to access rapid testing kits without compromising health and safety of employees.

The province will be working with Alberta Chambers of Commerce to develop a program specifically for chamber members. Details are expected to be made available soon.

More than 1.785 million rapid tests have now been deployed across Alberta.

The decision to remove the requirement for health-care provider oversight is supported by Health Canada and aligns with rapid testing programs implemented by Ontario and some international jurisdictions.

Organizations will be responsible in making sure anyone administering the test is “adequately trained”. Training to administer the rapid tests is available online.

Additional materials will be made available on the Government of Alberta rapid testing webpage to help organizations train staff to oversee screening.

To be eligible for the rapid test kits, employers and service providers must have a screening program plan that outlines:

• Protocols for administering the tests
• The use of personal protective equipment
• Processes for reporting results and managing individuals who screen positive

The province’s rapid testing program was launched in March and allows any organization to apply for free COVID-19 rapid testing kits to be used in a screening program.

More details on Alberta’s rapid testing program are available here.