Ford's rapid test distribution falling far short of need: NDP MPP

YORK SOUTH—WESTON — York South—Weston NDP MPP Faisal Hassan released the following statement on the shortage of free rapid tests distributed by the Ford government as Omicron cases climb rapidly:

"My riding of York South—Weston has long been a COVID-19 hot spot, home to many frontline workers, many of them from racialized communities. Yet with Omicron spreading wildly, the Ford government has left Ontarians unprepared.

The government's rapid test distribution is falling far short of what's needed; two million tests for a population of 15 million people simply isn't cutting it.

My community members are scared, and they’re frustrated after waiting for hours in lines — many of them didn’t even get a test kit after that long wait. They’re trying to do the right thing by getting tested. They deserve so much better.

The Ford government must provide more tests in more locations, far beyond LCBOs. We need tests in libraries, grocery stores, handed out to families with kids in child cares and to child care staff, to residents and visitors in seniors' centres, and so much more."