The Department of Health and Community Services will begin distributing free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to households throughout the province over the coming weeks. The tests will be distributed to households via Canada Post. To ensure widespread community access to rapid antigen testing, rapid antigen tests will also be available in public libraries and MHA constituency offices throughout the province in the coming weeks.

Two kits (five tests per kit) will be sent in two different shipments through Canada Post throughout November and December. Rapid antigen testing is recommended for anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19. As rapid antigen tests do not always detect COVID-19 on the first day or two of symptoms, Public Health recommends doing one test on the first day of symptom onset and, if negative, taking a second test 48 hours later.

As per current guidelines, testing is not recommended for anyone who does not have symptoms, including close contacts. PCR testing will remain for outbreak management and within acute care settings. Public health surveillance and predictive modelling will continue as COVID-19 cases remain in our province. Public Health encourages all who have a positive rapid antigen test result to report it, as reporting positive tests provides important information to help guide public health recommendations. To report a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test, visit the online COVID-19 Assessment and Test Reporting Tool.

More information regarding the distribution of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests can be found on the Department of Health and Community Services website.

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“In addition to keeping up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, providing rapid antigen testing for Newfoundland and Labrador residents is an important part of living with COVID-19. By making these tests accessible to all residents across the province, our government is enabling residents to make informed decisions about their health and helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

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Media contact
Laura Thomas
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 727-0341
laurathomas@gov.nl.ca