Bruce Power has teamed up with the Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron to open a rapid COVID-19 test distribution centre for small- and medium-sized local businesses.
The centre, which opened in mid-May as part of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative, provides free rapid test kits to businesses with fewer than 150 employees, so they can quickly ensure staff members are not carriers of COVID-19, helping to keep their employees and communities safe. Bruce Power donated $15,000 to the project, as well as 500 litres of hand sanitizer and 1,000 masks.
“Getting rapid tests into the hands of small- and medium-sized businesses is another excellent way to combat the spread of COVID-19, as we move toward the end of this pandemic,” said John Peevers, Bruce Power’s Director of Community and Media Relations, and Economic Development. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and through on-site rapid testing and increased vaccination numbers, we will hopefully soon put it behind us.”
Jennifer Verdam-Woodward, Chair of the Huron Chamber of Commerce, said the group is heartened by how quickly community leaders like Bruce Power, which is a member of the organization, have pitched in to make this initiative a reality.
“It will likely be the most important project we do all year, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of organizations like Bruce Power that have a strong commitment to community,” Verdam-Woodward said.
Small- and medium-sized businesses which would like to access rapid tests, hand sanitizer and masks, can visit the Chamber’s web portal at www.huronchamber.ca/rapid-antigen-screening-kit/ to order their two-week supply of rapid test kits. Pre-ordered kits can be picked up at The Livery Theatre, 35 South St., Goderich. A designate from each business, responsible for supervising the self-screening collection onsite, will be required to attend the site for the initial pick-up where they will receive video training to properly supervise the screening process and safely dispose of the used kits.
Each business will be required to electronically submit their screening results after each occasion and will be recommended to screen staff twice weekly. The accumulated data will be reported to the Ministry.
