UPDATE: LCBO ‘cannot confirm’ arrival times of rapid COVID-19 test kits at Ottawa stores

Seven Ottawa LCBOs, on a provincial list of places where residents are expected to be able to pick up rapid antigen test kits, don't have any kits available yet but they're expected to arrive at some point on Friday, December 17.

The LCBO tells CityNews, “An allocation of COVID-19 rapid tests kits are starting to be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the select LCBO stores across the province. We expect most stores will receive supplies today, but cannot confirm exact arrival times at each location and do expect our limited supply to go quickly.” 

Long line-ups could be seen outside of the liquor stores on Friday morning before they opened. Residents were hoping to be first in line for the tests after the province made its announcement late on Thursday, but were instead sent home empty-handed or told to wait.

“The truck has not arrived and they don't know where it is,” said one woman who lined up at the LCBO on Bank Street near Walkley Road. “I mean, is it in Oshawa? Is it on Bank Street? We don't know.”

Others in line expressed frustration that the Ontario government would announce locations where the tests were expected to be if the tests weren't set to arrive by Friday morning.

“I don't know why they didn't deliver the kits like a day ahead of time so that they'd be ready right at 9 a.m.,” said one of the men, who added that no one at the LCBO seemed to know what was happening with the tests either.

According to another person who was hoping to pick up rapid tests at the Bank Street LCBO, many people started complaining and being “mean and belligerent” after they were informed there were no tests available yet.

The province had announced that free rapid tests would be made available starting Friday morning at high traffic areas, including seven select Ottawa LCBO locations. The move is part of the government's enhanced testing strategy to curb the spread of the Omicron variant. 

The LCBO is thanking its customers for their patience and understanding in this situation. 

“Our dedicated store staff will be doing their best to share updates with anyone waiting in line and distribute kits on arrival. Store signage is also being used at front doors to indicate if a store has kits, does not have kits, or is expecting kits.”

The LCBO adds, as participating stores run out of stock, it will post updates on its Twitter account.

The Ottawa locations listed on the LCBO website include: