Ontario announces new measures to combat Omicron variant of COVID-19
- Michael Kras
- 16 Dec 2021
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread across the province at an unprecedented rate, the Ontario government is announcing new measures to help mitigate the spread.
The two largest moves that Premier Doug Ford announced on Wednesday afternoon include opening vaccine boosters to everyone ages 18 and over sooner than previously announced, and providing free rapid antigen tests to the public ahead of the holiday season.
BREAKING: @ONgov to make millions of rapid tests available for free at 660 @LCBO outlets in coming days, sources tell the @TorontoStar. The tests, distributed free to businesses for employees for months, cost $40 at pharmacies.#onpoli #COVID19 https://t.co/GKQLfEXwu4
— Robert Benzie (@robertbenzie) December 15, 2021
Third booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were previously scheduled to be open to the 18+ set as of January 4th, as a measure to combat gradually waning vaccine immunity for those who received both doses more than six months ago.
However, with the Omicron variant spreading considerably faster than all previous COVID-19 variants, appointments for Ontarians ages 18 and up will instead be available as of Monday, December 20th.
“As we continue to learn more about the Omicron variant, we need all hands on deck to help limit transmission and protect our hospital capacity,” said Christine Elliott, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
“A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine offers additional protection against the Omicron variant, and I urge everyone to get their booster dose as soon as you can. If you haven’t received your first or second dose of the vaccine, now is the time.”
Additionally, the window between second and third doses has been shortened, now using a three-month interval rather than a six-month interval.
Eligible Ontarians will be able to book their third doses starting Monday, December 20th through the province’s online booking portal.
On top of the new vaccination measures, the Ford government has announced that rapid antigen testing kits will be distributed for free to Ontarians ahead of the holiday season, allowing families and friends to gather more safely.
Pop-up sites to distribute free testing kits are being set up at high-traffic areas such as malls, transit centres, and holiday markets. The kits will also be available for free at province-wide LCBO locations.
Read the full release on the Ontario website.
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