LDSB purchases Rapid Antigen Tests for staff

The Ontario government is providing all students across the province with a five-pack of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for use over the December break, “to add an additional layer of protection over the holiday period and as students return to school in January,” according to the province.

However, RATs will not be provided by the government for staff members in schools across the province.

According to the Limestone District School Board (LDSB), given the current circumstances in the KFL&A region, Director of Education Krishna Burra has purchased an additional 3,000 five-pack Rapid Antigen Test kits to provide to every full-time, part-time and casual employee in the Limestone board. This will allow all staff to test regularly during the break as an added layer of protection for themselves and their families, the school board stated.

Staff will be asked to ensure they test before their return to in-person teaching/working on January 3, 2022.

In his email to all staff, the Director wrote: “This step was taken to support all of you and your well-being entering the holiday season and prior to returning in January. I know some of you have also been directly impacted as well, or are feeling increasingly anxious due to local case counts and rates. I fully recognize the significant implications of these directives and how they are managed leading into the holidays. None of this is easy and all any of us can do is the very best we can. I know collectively we are strong as a system and will continue to support each other regardless of how the pandemic continues to evolve.”

The board expects to receive the kits on Dec. 13 or 14 and will begin making them available to staff as soon as possible.