Free rapid COVID-19 test kits offered this week at CF Fairview Park (update)

Furthering the province's initiative which saw rapid COVID-19 kits distributed to select LCBO locations, a supply of rapid COVID-19 antigen tests will be made available locally this week as part of the Ford government's “holiday pop-up testing blitz.”

The province has emphasized that these kits, provided free of charge, are distributed based on “available supply” with a limit of one test kit per person. 

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, residents in Waterloo Region may be able to receive a free kit at CF Fairview Park, located at 2960 Kingsway Dr. in Kitchener.

Those looking to obtain a kit are encouraged to line-up at the mall's entrance #6, located on the highway side of the building near the old Sears store. Mall security will be on site to assist individuals and monitor those that gather.

A spokesperson with CF Fairview Park has confirmed the mall will have roughly 1,000 kits to distribute, and will be turning away visitors after meeting that threshold. 

A similar supply of kits will also be available at the same location on Monday & Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

Additional locations across Ontario are expected to be added to the province's rapid antigen holiday pop-up schedule on a regular basis on Fridays, while locations will be removed “as soon as possible” as their test kit supply is depleted. Appointments are not needed to access any pop-up sites.

Individuals that have symptoms of COVID-19 or may have been exposed to an individual positive for the virus are being asked to not attend pop-up locations. Furthermore, the province has emphasized that rapid tests should be used as a “screening tool” for asymptomatic individuals only – and not for “diagnostic purposes.”

Earlier in December, the province's announcement of free COVID-19 rapid test kits at select LCBO locations was met with heavy demand locally, with “first-come, first served” distribution seeing the seven locations in Waterloo Region running out of kits in short order.