COVID-19 Rapid Screening Test Kits now available to Stratford businesses

MEDIA RELEASE

COVID-19 RAPID SCREENING TEST KITS NOW AVAILABLE TO STRATFORD BUSINESSES

Screening Program Launched in Waterloo Region Expands to Stratford

Stratford, ON – April 21, 2021… The StaySafe™ COVID-19 Rapid Screening Pilot launched last week in Waterloo Region, will be available free of charge starting next week to all small-medium sized Stratford and area businesses to detect the virus in staff not showing any symptoms. Funded by the Provincial and Federal Governments, the StaySafe™ program provides free rapid antigen point-of-care tests for employees of small- and medium-sized businesses to detect cases ofCOVID-19 in the workplace that might otherwise be missed, helping to keep workers and their families safe. Small & medium businesses (under 150employees) in sectors considered essential and where employees cannot work from home or physically distance are encouraged to participate.

This pilot is complementary to those participating in the Provincial Antigen Screening Program. Through this program, 20-minute rapid testing is provided to workplaces for asymptomatic staff in key sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain, mining, construction and food processing. The “self-swab” uses a faster, more efficient COVID-19 rapid antigen point-of-care screening test under the supervision of a trained person.

investStratford, Destination Stratford, the Stratford City Centre BIA and the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce have worked with the Waterloo Region program collaborators, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Communitech and the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, to bring the StaySafe™ COVID-19 Rapid Screening Pilot here.

Starting Monday, April 26, orders placed before 3pm Friday will be available for Stratford pick-up on the following Monday at Destination Stratford (47 Downie St.) between 1:30-4:30pm. Stratford businesses wanting to order their kits immediately or more frequently can order and pick-up directly at the Communitech Hub in Kitchener (151 Charles Street West, Suite 100,Kitchener).

All interested businesses must order screening kits directly after registering for the Antigen Screening Program here: https://tests.staysafescreen.ca. Businesses must report aggregated results through Communitech’s StaySafe portal.

These kits are an additional tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Individual self-screening should continue and anyone symptomatic, a close contact or with suspicion of infection needs to self-isolate and follow Ontario’s Testing Guidelines. https://bit.ly/2QnfQsM

For more info, screening guidelines and frequently asked questions visit Communitech Business Resources https://bit.ly/2QOthSg . Full Ontario Release here: https://bit.ly/3n8ey0M

Quotes:

Mayor of Stratford Dan Mathieson: “We are tremendously grateful to our partners in Kitchener Waterloo and at Communitech for sharing this valuable resource with the Stratford business community. The StaySafe program provides critical tools to businesses to identify and isolate potential viral cases and the more we can do to stop the spread of COVID, the less people become ill and the faster we turn the economy around. If we combat the spread and keep workplaces safe, business owners will have more confidence to manage their business through these most difficult times. Thank you to the Ontario and Federal Governments for their support.”

President and CEO, Communitech, Iain Klugman: “This is a great example of what Ontario and Canada can do when governments, businesses and communities come together to take on COVID-19; we're stronger together and we won't back down from this virus. Thanks to the leadership of our governments at all levels, the way is paved to make the StaySafe program a reality and bring another tool to bear to reopen our economy and keep it open. The combination of vaccines, PPE and a strong testing strategy that includes serial rapid screening as well as diagnostic lab testing will help to keep our businesses safe, help to reopen the economy, and keep us on track."

For more information and to order business screening kits visit: https://staysafescreen.ca/

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About investStratford:
investStratford is committed to advancing the economic future of Stratford, Ontario, Canada through investment in arts, education and industry. Globally Connected | Community Driven 

For further information contact:

Joani Gerber, CEO, investStratford 519-305-5055 x1001

Elke Bidner, Marketing and Communications Lead 519-305-5055 x1003