Expanded Rapid Testing will Help Support Safe Reopening

(Toronto, March 17, 2021) – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released the following statement in reaction to the Government of Ontario expanding their rapid testing program to more sectors and making it easier to administer in the workplace.

“Ontario’s business community recognized at the outset of the crisis that the expansion of rapid testing is an important element to the safe reopening and recovery of the province. Improved rapid testing provides an added measure to protect our communities from further COVID-19 spread while the vaccine rollout is underway across Ontario.

“In our letter on reopening Canada’s economy, we called for coordination of mass testing through Ontario’s private sector. Sufficient and timely testing and tracing gets employees back to work quickly, ensuring continued productivity and reduced strain on families.

“This month, the OCC’s Ontario Vaccination Support Council launched an online portal to connect Ontario’s public health units with private sector organizations offering local support on vaccine distribution and deployment. The faster the Ontario population is inoculated, the faster we can work together on the province’s path to economic recovery. In the meantime, workplace rapid testing remains an integral part of reopening and recovery efforts. Our members stand ready to assist the Province to ensure subsequent waves of the virus are managed effectively.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards
Manager, Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
mailto:cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca | 647-936-6734.