Hundreds of people braved double-digit sub-zero temperatures for hours on Monday hoping to get their hands on one of the 1,000 COVID-19 rapid antigen testing kits given away at the University of Guelph.
The line snaked through the U of G's University Centre, down Christie Lane and along South Ring Road East extending nearly as far as the U of G Mountain Hall residence.
By 11:00 a.m. everyone in line was given one of the testing kits, with officials still holding onto two dozen to distribute to those who passed through the centre and wanted a kit.
Those who were early to the line were fortunate enough to be waiting inside, while the vast majority of people were bundled up outside.
Each kit contains five tests.
Lynne Harbin, the first person in line, said she was at the university at 7:00 a.m. - three hours before the scheduled 10:00 a.m. distribution of the rapid antigen tests.
“Safety for our family and to have them if we need them,” said Harbin. “And I’m not going to stand in line and not get them, so I came early.”
Harbin said she read the information when it came on Friday and decided to make sure she was able to secure them so she would come early and wait in line.
“We need to have them available, it’s spreading quickly,” said Harbin when speaking on the provincial government's lack in providing the rapid testing kits to those living in Guelph.
Despite the long waits and unfavourable conditions, spirits were high as those waiting in line were happy just to have the opportunity to get their hands on a free testing kit.
Since the pop-up blitz began in mid-December, the provincial government had yet to select a location in Guelph to hold an organized mass distribution of the testing kits.
The only time Guelphites were able to access the rapid test within their home city was when two select LCBO locations gave away the testing kits on Dec. 16.
Kim Kerner, who joined the line at 9:20 a.m. along South Ring Road East, said she was waiting in line in the hopes for a free test because the only other alternative would be purchasing one online - which she said would still take until the end of January to come in even if she ordered it today.
Kerner said she would be really disappointed if she waited in line and didn’t end up getting a testing kit.
“They should have someone in line, they know they’ve got 1,000, they should say don’t bother waiting as we are out of tests,” said Kerner.
Monday was the first of a three-day COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit distribution being held at the U of G University Centre this week.
Officials said the current plan is to hand out 1,000 of the COVID-19 rapid antigen testing kits each day.
The next batch of rapid antigen tests will be handed out at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday then 10 a.m. Wednesday at the same location. One thousand kits per day are being handed out.