Here are the LCBO stores expected to get rapid COVID-19 tests in Waterloo region and area
Local libraries also expected to get kits in coming days
Kitchener doctor Dalia Hasan says it's been an "absolute frenzy" by people to scoop up free rapid COVID-19 tests in Ontario.
Hasan, who runs the Twitter account Called C19TestFinders, said places in the Toronto area with testing kits ran out within an hour.
She said the government should have mailed out kits to anyone who wants one instead of going the pop-up route, pointing out many people can't go to the sites because they are working. She also critiqued the lack of pop-ups in a number of Ontario regions.
Meanwhile, Premier Doug Ford said on Wednesday the Ontario government is making millions of free rapid tests available at pop-up sites across the province and has asked the federal government for more.
Kits will soon be available at some LCBO locations. Here's where you can find them in Waterloo region and surrounding area:
Cambridge:
- South Cambridge Centre (Franklin Boulevard and Dundas Street).
- On Holiday Inn Drive near Highway 24 and Highway 401.
Guelph:
- Scottsdale Drive and Stone Road W.
- Speedvale Avenue E., and Stevenson Street N.
Kitchener:
- Highland Road Plaza (Highland Road and Westmount Road).
- Alpine Centre (Ottawa Street and Homer Watson Boulevard).
- Stanley Park Plaza (Ottawa Street and River Road).
Waterloo:
- King Street N. and Northfield Drive.
- Waterloo Town Square.
More locations may be added in the coming weeks and the province recommends people check its holiday pop-up blitz website.
Region advocating for kits
Regional officials were asked about the lack of free rapid tests in Waterloo region during a media briefing on Friday. Regional Chair Karen Redman said they're working with the province to bring the test kits to people locally.
"My understanding was that the rapid kits were going directly to the LCBO and that was a provincial distribution," Redman said. "As always, we will carry the concerns of Waterloo region directly to the premier and to the Ministry of Health."
Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, said she has advocated for Waterloo region to get the rapid tests and the ministry "has been very responsive."
"I would be very frustrated too if I tried to get a rapid test and couldn't get it," Wang added. "They are working incredibly hard, the staff at the provincial level, to get out the supply as quickly as possible."
Local libraries will also get rapid test kits. The Waterloo Public Library posted online that while they are excited to be able to offer the tests, they don't currently have any and they will let the public know when tests arrive.