Free rapid COVID tests readily available in Saskatchewan but scarce in Alberta. Why?
Global News
While the federal government will now be distributing free rapid COVID-19 tests to provinces on a per-capita basis, it was done in response to individual requests prior to January.
Free rapid COVID-19 tests are hard — if not impossible — to come by if you’re a member of the general public in Alberta.
While schools are supplying students and staff with some test kits and rapid tests have been available for high-risk settings and employers for the last several months of 2021, the free rapid test kits for the regular Albertan have run out.
The “where to get test kits” page on the Alberta Health website reads: “Unfortunately, there is no availability for rapid antigen tests at pharmacies in Alberta.”
On Dec. 17, the provincial government in Alberta announced every resident would be able to pick up a free package of five rapid tests every two weeks.
There were long lineups at participating pharmacies that Friday morning, with some running out of supply within a few hours.
However, one province to the east, free rapid tests are still very accessible.
In Saskatchewan, the test kits are still being provided for free at libraries, some grocery stores and gas stations, select chambers of commerce, as well as at vaccination clinics or PCR testing sites.
So, why the discrepancy in availability?
