Walmart has back-tracked on its a policy that had previously required customers in Ontario to make an online order of at least $35 to receive a ‘free’ rapid test kit.
It made the change after receiving backlash from customers and Premier Doug Ford, who condemned the policy on social media yesterday.
Free means free.
We’re providing #RapidTests 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.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 9, 2022
The Ontario government has announced that it will make about 5.5 million tests available across the province each week at grocery stores and pharmacies, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Metro, Rexall, Loblaws, Sobey’s, and Walmart.
Initially, Walmart had required customers to place an online pick-up order to receive one free COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit, which included a minimum purchase of $35.
However, Walmart has since changed the policy and said its intention of distributing the test kits through online grocery pick-up was to avoid long lines in Ontario stores.
To learn more about the Rapid Test Kit Program, please click here.
UPDATE: Our intention of distributing the Rapid Antigen Test kits through online grocery pick-up was to avoid long lines in Ontario stores & offer them in a safe, efficient & equitable manner. We’ve heard the concerns raised & will make kits available in these stores for free
— Walmart Canada (@WalmartCanada) February 10, 2022
