Walmart drops mandatory $35 purchase required to receive rapid tests after Ford slams policy
Walmart has retracted a policy that previously required customers in Ontario to make an online order of at least $35 to receive a ‘free’ rapid test kit after Premier Doug Ford condemned the policy on social media Wednesday.
The Ontario government announced Wednesday it will make about 5.5 million tests available across the province each week at grocery stores and pharmacies. The announcement was made at a Walmart location in Kitchener.
Initially, Walmart required customers to place an online pick-up order to receive one free COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit.
But in order to place an online order and get a free test kit, customers were required to spend a minimum of $35.
On Wednesday evening, Ford published a tweet in response to the mandatory purchase policy.
"Free means free," he wrote. "We're providing [rapid tests] free of charge and all participating partners are expected to honour that — no minimums or mandatory purchase."
"If they don't, we'll give them to retailers or pharmacies that will."
CTV News Toronto asked Walmart for an updated statement in response to Ford's comments, to which the company responded that they would retract the policy and give the tests away for free.
“Our intention of distributing the kits through our online grocery pick-up service was to avoid long lines in our stores and to offer them to our customers in a safe, efficient and equitable manner,” a spokesperson for Walmart told CTV News Toronto.
“However, we’ve heard the concerns raised today and will make the kits available in our stores for free.”
When asked about the issue earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health told CTV News Toronto that individual retailers have the ability to determine how the tests are distributed.
Walmart store in East Windsor, Ont. on Thursday, July 23 2020. (Rich Garton/CTV Windsor)
LONGO'S HAS SIMILAR POLICY
CTV News Toronto contacted Longo's, another Ontario grocery only handing out rapid tests with online orders, who confirmed they have a $50 minimum online order requirement.
The $50 minimum for online orders was in place before the free test kits were announced, the company said.
They confirmed to CTV News Toronto it would not be changing, but that customers could come into the store and receive the tests for free in-person.
“Store distribution will begin this week in select Longo’s stores, with no purchase required, as supplies last,” a spokesperson for Longo’s said.
Other companies in Ontario, like Rexall, will be handing out COVID-19 rapid tests at cash registers on a first-come, first-serve basis. No purchase is required.
Click here for a full list on where to find a free COVID-19 rapid test.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of Fort Chipewyan believe the federal government believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Death toll from Hurricane Helene rises to 227 as grim task of recovering bodies continues
The death toll from Hurricane Helene inched up to 227 on Saturday as the grim task of recovering bodies continued more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the Southeast and killed people in six states.
Car flies into B.C. backyard, lands upside down
A driver suffered only minor injuries after going airborne in a residential neighbourhood in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, the car eventually landing on its roof in someone’s backyard.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk attend rally at same Pennsylvania grounds where gunman tried to assassinate Trump
Donald Trump returned on Saturday to the Pennsylvania fairgrounds where he was nearly assassinated in July, holding a sprawling rally with thousands of supporters in a critical swing state Trump hopes to return to his column in November's election.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
'No one has $70,000 dollars lying around': Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.