All over Australia, people have been travelling between pharmacies and shelling out big bucks for rapid antigen tests to provide peace of mind in an ever-growing COVID-19 outbreak. Now, they'll be more important than ever.
"While suppliers are generally able to set their own prices, businesses must not make false or misleading statements about the reason for high prices," they said.
But even at their recommended price, purchasing regular rapid antigen tests for screening purposes comes at a significant cost to individuals and families. And it's unclear whether supply will increase with the changes in policy. Even Morrison conceded supply would continue to "be constrained in the pharmacies and supermarkets over the next couple of weeks".
Hassan Vally, an epidemiologist with Deakin University, said the move towards more rapid antigen testing was "sensible", but added that: "In effect what we're doing is outsourcing testing to people by asking them to pay for these tests." Melbourne resident Jane Morgan is among those who has struggled to get her hands on tests. After coming down with symptoms a little over a week ago, she went straight to her usual testing clinic near her home in Ringwood East. Like many others, it was closed, so the 69-year-old, who has mobility issues, tried her local pharmacies.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Calls grow for RAT tests to be made free as COVID-19 cases climb in NSWPressure is mounting on the Federal Government to make rapid antigen tests free, as New South Wales clocked yet another daily record of COVID-19 infections.
Read more »
Calls grow for more free rapid antigen tests as COVID-19 cases surpass 60,000Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said the federal government had months to prepare for the switch to rapid antigen tests, and they must be made free for everyone.
Read more »
Victorians asked to report COVID-19 rapid antigen test results to state governmentVictorians who record a positive rapid antigen COVID-19 test will from tomorrow be required to isolate for seven days and report their result to the state government.
Read more »
‘Not enough’ done to ensure access to COVID-19 tests
Read more »