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Province to Stop Distributing Free COVID Tests at Pharmacies and Grocery Stores

The Ministry of Health says the program will wind down at the end of this month

The province is about to end the program that distributes free COVID-19 rapid tests at grocery stores and pharmacies.

In a memo, the Ministry of Health says the program will wind down on June 30th, due to lower rates of COVID-19, high vaccination rates, and lower demand for tests. 

Grocery stores and pharmacies are being urged to place final orders by June 16th. 

According to the Ministry, some "high priority" communities will have free rapid tests available through Ontario Health Teams and community health centres until December 30th. 

NDP health critic France Gelinas blasted the move, saying there are vulnerable people across Ontario, and tests should be made available to anyone who needs them. 

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