Rapid Testing Kits
Date and Time
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
12:00 PM - 12:00 PM MDT
Program runs from now to March 2022, or until no longer needed, whichever comes first.
For additional information contact
meggan@stalbertchamber.com
Fees/Admission
No Cost to participate in Rapid Testing Program
Rapid Testing Kits
Description
We are currently out of Rapid Testing Kits
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE TESTING KITS FROM THE CHAMBER?
- Rapid testing kits are available to incorporated businesses and non-profits.
- Organizations do not require a Chamber membership to be eligible.
HOW DO St. Albert ORGANIZATIONS OBTAIN RAPID TESTING KITS?
3 Easy Steps to obtain Rapid Testing Kits:
- Complete and submit the Rapid Testing Application to meggan@stalbertchamber.com
- Once approved a member of the staff will send you the pick-up schedule, all picked ups will be from the Chamber office/ Visitor Information Centre at 71 St. Albert Trail, St, Albert, AB T8N 6L5
- Participating organizations must complete a weekly Rapid Testing Reporting Form, and submit it each Monday to Meggan at meggan@stalbertchamber.com. Failure to do so will prevent organizations from accessing further testing kits.
IS THERE A COST FOR TESTING KITS?
- No. There is no cost to eligible organizations for testing kits.
WHO SHOULD THE TESTS BE ADMINISTERED TO?
- The Rapid Testing Program provides access to rapid test kits for organizations with employees that frequently enter the workplace.
- Tests should NOT be administered to symptomatic individuals, as they should be directed to obtain a PCR test through AHS.
- Individuals who have been vaccinated may receive a screening test.
WHO SHOULD THE TESTS BE ADMINISTERED BY?
- A medical professional is not required to administer rapid tests. Simply watch the Rapid Antigen Screening Instructional Video and follow the instructions included with the Rapid testing kits.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD TESTS BE ADMINISTERED?
- Organizations must conduct screening tests either once or twice weekly, but no less frequently than once weekly.
- NOTE: Tests may not be used on an as-needed or a one-time basis.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET THE RESULTS OF THE TEST?
- Test results take 15-20 minutes to process.
- Businesses should also account for the time taken to administer the test.
WHAT WILL BE IN MY TEST KIT?
- 25 Test devices
- 1 Buffer
- 25 Extraction tubes
- 25 Extraction tube caps
- 25 Sterilized nasopharyngeal swabs
- 1 Quick reference guide
NOTE: Rapid testing kits only come in increments of 25 – we cannot separate kits.
IF I ADMINISTER RAPID TESTS REGULARLY, CAN I REDUCE OTHER SAFETY MEASURES?
- Rapid testing does not supplement or replace public health measures such as symptom monitoring, physical distancing, masking, hand hygiene, and isolating when symptomatic or in close contact with a confirmed case.
- Please continue to follow all public health guidelines as communicated by Alberta Health Services.
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR?
- The program will run until March 31, 2022, or when no longer needed, whichever comes first.
- On September 09, 2021, Health Canada authorized an amendment for a shelf life extension from 12 to 24 months.
- This amendment requires that the manufacturer continue to fulfill all previous conditions, as well as one additional condition specific to this amendment that is highlighted below.
WHAT DO I DO WITH UNUSED TESTS?
The organization must return all unused kits to the Chamber on completion of the program. Chamber staff will notify all participants of the drop-off date.
IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY KITS I CAN ORDER AT ONCE?
- We request each organization order a month’s supply at a time.
- ESTIMATION: Number of employees participating, multiplied by the number of times the tests will be administered weekly (recommendation is twice weekly), multiplied by four weeks.
Example:
10 employees X 2 tests per week = 20
20 X 4 Weeks = 80 Tests
Since tests kits come in packs of 25, you will require 4 kits.
WILL THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA OR THE St. ALBERT
AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFER A SIMILAR PROGRAM FOR VACCINATIONS?
- There will not be a similar program for vaccines as vaccinations require a medical professional to administer.
If I RUN OUT OF Rapid testing Kits HOW LONG BEFORE I RECEIVE more Kits?
- We will need approximately 4-5 business days to process your order depending on the availability of stock.
WHAT IF THE BUSINESS REQUIRES A MODIFICATION TO THE AGREEMENT?
- If the business requires a change to the agreement, they should contact the Government of Alberta directly by emailing rapidtesting@gov.ab.ca.
****Tests provided by Alberta Health as part of this program cannot be used to support a Restrictions Exemption Program.*****
- Participants in the rapid screening program cannot supply any documentation to employees regarding test results that will be used for admission/entry to a site/venue or an event that participates in the Restrictions Exemption Program.
- For more clarity, Unvaccinated individuals who wish to enter an organization participating in a Restriction Exemption Program must pay to obtain a negative COVID test through a private vendor or the individual organization may choose to set up their own rapid testing program, at their cost.