(March 21, 2022) – PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Health and Community Services and MHA for Topsail - Paradise, Mr. Paul Dinn, is calling on the Liberal Government to make rapid tests free for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that need them.

Newfoundland and Labrador is among only one other jurisdiction in Canada to not provide free rapid tests for those that require them.

Dinn says, “For those that are lucky enough to find a rapid test for purchase, they can amount to almost $20 per test. Not providing free rapid tests for the people of the province is a disservice and certainly not in line with the access of other jurisdictions. There are seniors reluctant to leave their homes and families on fixed incomes who simply can’t afford the tests. The Liberal Government has been hesitant to use rapid testing like in other provinces and it simply doesn’t make sense.”

The PC Official Opposition has called for broad access to rapid tests since they have been commercially available.

“If we are getting our fair share of rapid tests from the Federal Liberal Government, why on earth can’t we distribute them equitably to those that need them? There is an incredible value in people knowing that they are COVID-19 positive so that they can take extra precautions to help control the spread,” says Dinn.

-30-
 

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Communications and Digital Strategy

(cell) 709-729-3668

bradleyrussellr@gov.nl.ca