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No drive thru for rapid tests at Chamber on Thursday

Chamber had planned a drive thru at their offices Thursday between 1 and 4 p.m., but Battlefords Chamber COO Linda Machniak reports the kits had not arrived as of this morning.
COVID rapid antigen test
Seen here: a COVID-19 antigen test kit.

The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce has confirmed that they will not be holding a drive-thru Thursday afternoon to distribute COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits.

They had hoped to set up the drive thru at their offices Thursday between 1 and 4 p.m. to distribute rapid test kits to members of the general public, but Battlefords Chamber Chief Operating Officer Linda Machniak reports that the kits had not arrived as of that morning.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority had announced a week ago that the test kits would be distributed starting Oct. 18, but there have been issues in getting the kits out to the various distribution points, which include local Chambers and fire halls across the province.

Machniak stated in an email to SASKTODAY.ca that it is her understanding the kits have been shipped out from the warehouse, but the Chamber has not yet had a call from the trucking company as to when they will arrive. They are expected to arrive either today or tomorrow.

That left Machniak in the position to have to make a "go or no go" call. In the end she opted not to go ahead today.

Instead, the plan is to try again to hold a drive thru on Monday, Oct. 25 between 1 and 4 p.m., at the same location outside the Chamber offices at the Highway 16 and 40 junction. Members of the Battlefords North Stars are expected to be on hand to help distribute the COVID-19 test kits to the public. The plan is to hold the drive-thrus on Mondays and Thursday between 1 and 4 p.m. each day.