COVID-19 rapid tests arrive at some Ottawa LCBOs

At least one Ottawa LCBO has begun handing out rapid tests, after many residents who lined up earlier were frustrated to find none were available.

The LCBO said on its website Thursday that free rapid take-home kits would be available "beginning Friday, December 17th" at 100 locations across the province, including seven in Ottawa.

When people arrived at the stores for their 9 a.m. openings, there were no tests to be found at any of the seven locations.

Hundreds of people lined up at the stores hoping to nab the free tests, which have become a hot commodity ahead of the holiday season with the surging Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Store employees told people in line at several of the locations they did know when the tests would be arriving. At the Bank and Walkley location, an employee stood outside with a cardboard sign reading "We do not have tests yet, sorry."