Here’s Who Will Get The 3 Million Free RATs That Just Arrived In Victoria
Not everyone will have access to the tests.
Millions of free rapid antigen tests will be distributed across Victoria from today in an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure on pharmacies and other retailers amid the ongoing Omicron outbreak.
Victoria received a “significant” portion of its 44 million test kit order on Sunday, with three million tests ready to be distributed from today.
In a press conference on Sunday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the tests will be distributed to essential workers across health, aged care, disability, and emergency services. “Three million is a very important start, we are working very hard to make sure that each and every one of the orders that make up the 44 million are honoured,” he said on Sunday. “That will be three million tests that don’t need to be sourced elsewhere, so that alleviates some pressure.”
Tests will also be distributed to immunocompromised Victorians, and among sixty community and multi-faith groups to distribute to people across the state.
While the initial rollout will be prioritised for essential workers in sensitive settings, this will widen as more tests arrive in the state.
“Thanks to our bulk order of tests, Victorians will soon be able to reliably obtain a free RAT,” Andrews said. “As more tests progressively arrive, we’ll continue to roll them out to those who need them.”
Deputy Chief Health Officer Ben Cowie said the rollout of free tests will get people into isolation sooner and ensure positive cases are getting the help they need.
“It is great news that the tide is starting to turn on the supply of rapid antigen tests in Victoria,” he said on Sunday. “We are all going to have significantly increased access in the coming days and weeks.”
Additionally, more than 400,000 free rapid antigen tests were distributed across the state’s PCR testing centres last week; 91,000 tests were distributed yesterday, compared to just 1,900 on the first day of the free RAT pilot programme.
Free rapid antigen tests are available at 60 PCR centres across the state but the Victorian Government is yet to announce how to register for a priority free RAT if you are at a heightened risk due to an underlying medical condition.
The news comes as the ACCC has received 1,800 reports of price gouging rapid antigen tests since December. “There are several businesses that have repeatedly come to our notice thanks to the information provided by the public. We are asking those businesses to urgently explain the prices they are charging,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said in a statement on Monday.
Junkee has reached out to Vic Health for further clarification on how to access a free RAT.