The province of Saskatchewan received 2.6 million rapid antigen test kits, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority will be looking to get a supply of those tests available to the general public to help with asymptomatic COVID-19 surveillance.  

Of the kits that have been delivered to the province, 1.3 million will be distributed, for free, to the general public starting Monday. This will be done through participating fire halls, chambers of commerce and SHA testing and assessment centres.  

There are more than 360,000 tests going to First Nations communities. This is being done through a provincial allocation to Indigenous Services Canada to help support COVID-19 surveillance.  

There are also another 720,000 tests going to schools in the province, and what is left will be going to the SHA’s Test to Protect Program. This includes congregate living facilities and healthcare workers and businesses registered with the SHA for a workplace surveillance program. 

The self-tests are intended for asymptomatic surveillance. If someone has COVID-19 symptoms, or the self-test is positive, it is recommended to get a PCR test done through an SHA testing site.  

The self-test kits will not be accepted for the negative test requirement, as part of the proof of vaccination or negative test result policy. Those tests results can only be obtained from an approved provider.