City of Toronto and Toronto Region Board of Trade to Provide Free Rapid Screening Kits to Small Businesses

Toronto, ON, June 14, 2021 – Today, the Toronto Region Board of Trade and the City of Toronto announced plans to start distributing thousands of free rapid screening test kits for small businesses with 150 or fewer employees. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the workplace that might otherwise be missed, helping to curb its spread.  

Starting this Friday June 18, kits will be available for pickup at four City of Toronto locations. Businesses must book an appointment to pick up tests through the Board’s rapid testing page. 

Jan De Silva, Toronto Region Board of Trade President and CEO said, “The pandemic’s impact on small businesses cannot be overstated – with many racking-up significant debt to stay afloat and some facing permanent closure. Yet through it all, business owners have gone above and beyond to move their operations online, limit capacity and stay closed to curb the spread of COVID. 

“Now, it’s time they start getting ready to reopen,” continued De Silva. “Rolling out rapid tests at no cost to business is one of a number of steps we’re taking to help bring people back to business districts, which are the major drivers of our city and region’s economy.”  

John Tory, Mayor of the City of Toronto said, "The launch of the Toronto COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative for Small and Medium Enterprises is just one of many ways that the City is working hard to help businesses to reopen and recover from the pandemic. I want to thank the Toronto Region Board of Trade for partnering with us to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, at home and in the community."   

This program is part of the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative, initially developed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the provincial and federal governments.  

Businesses can register to pick up a rapid testing kits and refills at: www.bot.com/rapidscreening

Where can kits be picked up?  

Once scheduled online, kits can be picked up at:  

• Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall  
• North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St.  
• Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr.  
• Fort York Visitor Centre, 250 Fort York Blvd.  

Distribution sites will be open for scheduled pick-ups by appointment Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 4pm. Additional distribution sites may be added for Phase 2 of Ontario’s re-opening in late June or early July.