COVID-19 testing for employees.

Employee self-testing expected to contribute to safe reopening plan

SYDNEY — Employees at small and medium-sized businesses in Cape Breton will soon be able to test themselves for the COVID-19 virus.

The Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Breton Partnership are now in the process of rolling out the free self-screening rapid testing kits.

“Our role is to make sure that all businesses in our jurisdiction are aware that this is available to them,” said Cape Breton Chamber chief executive officer Kathleen Yurchesyn.

“After health concerns, the main objective is to keep our economy open.”

Kathleen Yurchesyn Cape Breton Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer

“It’s a way that we can be proactive about the public health and safety of not only ourselves but of our communities, so it is incredibly important to understand what level of virus is still within our community.”

The rapid test program is a component of the plan to safely restart the Nova Scotia economy after the latest lockdown that for five weeks took a heavy toll on the province’s already beleaguered business community.

The kits are provided by the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Workplace Rapid Screening Program. Participating businesses will also be given the proper training to conduct the tests in a required sterile area of their workplace with the Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device. The nasal swab procedure is what has been conducted at public rapid test sites across the province.

Along with ensuring safe workplaces, Yurchesyn said the tests can also be seen as a marketing tool for businesses.

“After health concerns, the main objective is to keep our economy open,” she said.

“If a business can say they have implemented workplace testing and that they are testing employees at least twice a week, then customers can be assured it is a safe place both for employees and for people coming into those businesses.

“That alone builds confidence back within our community and we are all looking to find out sooner rather than later as to just what the new normal will be. It’s a community effort and has to be community-led.”

Cape Breton Partnership president and CEO Carla Arsenault is also keen on the self-testing initiative.

“This will help Cape Bretoners stay healthy and businesses stay open by providing a safe and effective way to help stop the spread,” said Arsenault, who encouraged businesses to spread the word to other businesses.

“Finding ways to adapt our businesses to living with COVID-19 is important in getting our economy and our communities back to a new normal.”

Both the Partnership and the chambers of commerce have been accepting registrants for the program. Yurchesyn said the initial reaction has been very positive. She also said that while the first deadline to register is over, interested businesses can still get involved by contacting any of the program facilitators, including the local Chamber and the Partnership.

The self-screening test takes only minutes and involves a few simple steps including the essential nasal swab. Results are ready 15 to 20 minutes after the completion of the test.