Toronto to distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to child care providers

The City of Toronto said rapid tests will be given to care providers and children 'to be used when they present any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus and its variants.'

The City of Toronto says it will distribute rapid antigen COVID-19 tests to licensed child care programs in the community.

In a press release issued Tuesday, the city said it is working with the provincial government to distribute the tests.

According to the city, two test kits will be allotted per staff member or care provider and infant, toddler and preschool child in care.

The city said the tests “are to be used when they present any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus and its variants.”

“Children, child care staff members and child care providers will continue to be actively screened every day for symptoms upon entering a child care program, as has been the process throughout the pandemic,” the release reads.

The city said it will help to ensure the test kids are distributed “as quickly as possible” to community-based child care programs, including licensed home child care agencies.

According to the release, child care programs that are located in schools will receive the test kits directly from their school or school board.

In a statement, Toronto Mayor John Tory said the city is “committed to supporting any effort to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to keep children, their families and child care workers safe.”