Ontario expands rapid test access with distribution at grocery stores, pharmacies

Ontario is expanding access to rapid antigen COVID-19 tests starting today, making them available at grocery stores, pharmacies and other agencies across the province.

The province says up to 5.5 million tests will be made available per week at retailers participating in the program that will run for at least eight weeks.

Individuals can pick the tests up in-person or order online, depending on the retailer, with a general limit of one box of five tests per household per visit.

There are more than 2,300 sites participating in the program across the province, including in the North and in some First Nations communities.

The province says communities identified as high priority based on high historical rates of COVID-19 and other factors will have more focused, community-level distribution strategies.