Shoppers selling rapid COVID-19 tests in Alberta, Ontario
Posted May 17, 2021 8:28 am.
Last Updated May 17, 2021 7:50 am.
OTTAWA – In addition to administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible people across Alberta, all Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw pharmacies are now selling rapid screening tests in the province as well as in Ontario.
They are for asymptomatic customers and cost $40.
Tests will be processed immediately in the pharmacy and it takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes for the results to come in.
“To get through this pandemic, we all need to follow public health guidelines, get vaccinated, and continue testing and screening in order to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Ashesh Desai, Executive Vice-President, Pharmacy and Healthcare, Shoppers Drug Mart.
“As Ontario and Alberta begin their recovery from this third wave of COVID-19, rapid screening options can provide customers with an extra level of confidence.”
Customers are encouraged to call their local store to book a screening appointment.
It comes as Canada is set to receive a large infusion of COVID-19 vaccines this week, even as questions swirl around how the immunization drive will be affected by the sudden departure of the man tasked with overseeing it.
The federal government says it expects around 4.5 million doses to arrive this week thanks to planned deliveries from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
The large influx comes as the Liberal government faces questions about who will now lead the vaccination campaign after Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin was sidelined suddenly on Friday and reassigned from his role presiding over the national inoculation effort.
