MEDIA RELEASE

WINDSOR-ESSEX, ON., August 4, 2021 – On Friday, the Windsor-Essex, Leamington District, and Amherstburg Chambers of Commerce, surpassed their goal of distributing 25,000 free rapid tests to local small and medium-sized businesses through the WEStaySafe Rapid Testing program in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario and Canadian governments, and WEtech Alliance.

To date, 25,175 COVID-19 rapid tests have been given out to 215 participating businesses in the Windsor-Essex region. Currently, 5,000 employees from various sectors, including food and beverage, manufacturing, healthcare, creative arts, retail and hospitality are being regularly tested. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the workplace that might otherwise be missed, helping to curb the spread in the workplace, at home and around the community in Windsor-Essex County.

WEStaySafe rapid tests are self-administered by each employee on-site at their place of work with results ready in 15 minutes. This provides both employees and customers peace of mind. Ontario Ministry of Health recommends that vaccinated individuals should continue to be included in rapid testing initiatives.

“The Essex County region is doing reasonably well with vaccinations, though the count of fully vaccinated individuals is trailing the province. As businesses continue to reopen, the possibility of infection and transmission through asymptomatic cases is still very high. The regular use of rapid tests can help businesses re-open safely, and those who are open to remain in business. It also helps in building consumer confidence,” said Rakesh Naidu, President and CEO, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“We are proud that many of our member chambers of commerce and boards of trade, including Windsor-Essex, Leamington District, and Amherstburg have had such great success distributing rapid tests to small and local businesses across the province. Rapid testing plays a key role in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities so that we can continue on the path to economic recovery,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Participating businesses report a feeling of confidence in the health of their staff and note that the commitment to run the program is minimal. Reporting never shares any personally identifiable information and the test is painless and easy to self-administer by their employees.

To order rapid test kits or for more information visit www.WEStaySafe.ca

Media contact:

Rakesh Naidu
President & CEO, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 519 966-3696 x222
Email: rnaidu@windsoressexchamber.org