As the province reopens, New Brunswick’s business community will receive an added layer of protection.
Several chambers of commerce in the province have committed to offering free self-screening rapid testing kits for small- and medium-sized businesses.
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce, and the Edmundston Region Chamber of Commerce are all part of the Chambers of Commerce Rapid Testing Initiative.
The federal health department approached the Canadian Chamber of Commerce with the proposition, and the plan made its way to the regional level.
Employers can offer their employees the ability to receive the test on a weekly basis and avoid an asymptomatic case going undetected.
The rapid tests will not function as a substitute to the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests used by Public Health.
“We really see this as just another tool in the toolkit of employees… As we move to green, it’s likely the province will lessen the amount of full COVID-19 testing so the rapid tests may increase in use,” said John Wishart, the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton.
Individuals that test positive through the rapid testing kits will still be required to take a PCR test.
“In the short and medium-term it’s just another safety measure businesses can adopt,” said Wishart.
The system relies on trust, businesses must report the number of tests they use and positive cases or their supply will be cut off by the chamber.
So far, the plan has received a strong response from business owners. According to Wishart, the Chamber in Greater Moncton has received interest from 50 businesses, just one day into the initiative.
“This workplace testing program is a great example of the collaborative work of the chambers of commerce in New Brunswick and throughout the country,” said David Duplisea, CEO of the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce.
“Our respective organizations have worked closely together for many years and those relationships have served us well throughout the pandemic. This program would be a daunting proposition for any one of us, but by working together we are able to deliver this important tool to businesses and organizations.”
Businesses and organizations interested in the Chambers of Commerce Rapid Testing Initiative can reach out to their nearest chamber for more information.
