Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, TX – As COVID-19 cases continue to surge the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce announced it will continue to distribute FREE COVID-19 rapid testing kits to business owners. The program is an effective way to support the safe operation for small businesses.
Since December 2020, the chamber has distributed 80 participants in the program managed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). This partnership has provided COVID-19 testing kits to small business owners keeping frontline workers and our community safe.
By participating in the program business owners can rest assured that their employees are COVID-19 negative before returning to work. “As soon as your employee shows any symptoms or has been incontact with a COVID-19 positive person they can simply take a free test. In turn your employees and customers will be kept safe.” said Ronnie Larralde, Executive Director at the Edinburg Chamber.
To participate in the program participants must complete an online training on proper testing protocols; including test administration and reporting of results as required by law.
The participating business will have to identify staff members who will be trained to administer the tests. As well as, report the results and determine the manner in which the voluntary testing will be conducted for their employees. All employees being tested must consent to testing and must not be a condition of employment. Businesses are responsible for establishing policies to address positive COVID-19 employee test results, including notifying local health departments.
Businesses who have already completed their training earlier this year can replenish their kits by contacting the chamber. There are currently 96 kits available. Each kit contains 40 self-administered tests. Once the kit has been 70% completed the business is eligible to receive an additional testing kit.
For more information or to participate in the program please contact the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce between operating hours at (956) 383-4974 or email informaion@edinburg.com.
