At Ottawa's only rapid test pop-up site, thousands wait for hours and many are turned away
Thousands of people lined up in the early morning hours in Barrhaven on Tuesday to pick up COVID-19 rapid tests, but many were turned away empty-handed.
The lineups started as early as 4 a.m. at the Minto Recreation Complex at Cambrian and Greenbank roads. Several callers told CTV News Ottawa that the first 1,000 people in line were given wristbands and told to return later today. The people with wristbands were lined back up at the complex just before noon, when the tests were set to be handed out.
Everyone else was turned away. One caller to the CTV Ottawa newsroom said the lineup of cars stretched several kilometres down nearby Greenbank Road, and the parking lot was jammed full of cars well before 7 a.m.
The issue was a shipment delay. A spokesperson for the health ministry said the shipping delay is resolved.
Nicholas Belisle lined up at 6 a.m. to get his hands on what may be one of the most in-demand items this Christmas.
"Last time I waited in a line that long was for Sens playoffs tickets in 2007 - when they made the cup final."
He says there were already more than 600 people in the queue when he arrived Tuesday morning.
"I just spent last weekend with several hundred children in Montreal for my job, so I wanted to be (tested) for my family. This will put me in a peace of mind."
Ariana Rochford left her car a kilometre away because of the traffic. She walked for 15 minutes to get to the line, but didn't end up getting a test.
"There were a lot of people in the parking lot not knowing what to do, or where to go. Finally, we found out that there was a lineup somewhere in the residential street - so not even in the parking lot of Minto," she said.
Christine Rose was the 10th person in line, arriving at 4:45 a.m.
"Just as a small precaution, every little bit helps … before meeting for Christmas, a small group," she explained.
The Ontario government is running pop-ups across the province to distribute free rapid antigen tests.
The Minto Recreation Complex is the only location announced in Ottawa so far. The province said the tests would be available at 7 a.m. Tuesday through Friday this week. A sign at the rec centre tells people seeking the tests to return Wednesday at 7 a.m.
Nine other locations are expected to be announced in the coming days. Medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches said last week province has chosen 10 pop-up sites in Ottawa to distribute rapid tests. The province says it updates its online list every Friday.
Last week, the province handed out rapid test kits through 100 LCBO stores, including seven in Ottawa. Hundreds lined up for those Friday morning only to be told they were not available. The tests arrived later in the day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.