Explained: National cabinet spells out new rules for PCR and free rapid tests

One of Australia’s top infectious disease experts has attacked national cabinet’s new rules and guidelines for rapid antigen and PCR testing. Here’s your quick guide.

One of Australia’s top infectious disease experts has attacked national cabinet’s new rules and guidelines for rapid antigen and PCR testing.

Epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely told Sunrise the federal government’s major shortage of rapid antigen test kits was “the biggest policy failure of the pandemic so far.”

“We’ve all been saying for the past six months we will require a big pivot to be using rapid antigen tests,” he said.

“It’s just appalling.

“It seems someone forgot to order them or arrange for the private market to supply them.”

He also said the government has not “thought about how we can upload that data to the surveillance system”, making it harder for us to determine who has Covid-19, and when the peak of the Omicron outbreak will happen.

“So we won’t get that in place for the next couple of weeks ... tests might have a QR code going forward ... we need systems in place for future waves,” he said.

“It would have been nice or ideal to have free rapid antigen tests, I’m not completely stuck on that, but as long as low income and vulnerable people and those who really need it because they are symptomatic have free access I think that is sufficient.

As long as we can get enough supply on to supermarket shelves ... I think that is adequate.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt rejected Prof Blakely’s claim about it being the biggest policy failure, saying: “Australia is one of the most accurate testing nations in the world, that is what has helped keep us safe. Now we have Omicron and we saw world cases spike to over 2.5 million a day up from more than half a million, approximately 500,000 only six weeks ago so a massive global increase around the world.

“There is a short-term challenge around the rapid antigen supply. The Australian government has been supplying the aged care right through, we were in the market in August and have stepped in to help the states purchasing 70 million, they have 130 million we will take

to over 200 million and I’m introducing price gouging regulations under the Biosecurity Act which will commence at 1am January 8 and that includes fines of up to $66,000 or imprisonment of up to five years for demonstrated price gouging in relation to the rapid antigen tests.”

SEE HOW THE CHANGES AFFECT YOU IN OUR GUIDE BELOW:

Will rapid antigen tests be provided free of charge to all Australians?

No, that hope was quickly dashed. Mr Morrison said the commonwealth, states and territories agreed that universal free access to RATS was not the “right policy response”.

Will anyone get RATs for free?

Yes. Free tests will be provided, via pharmacies, for people who have a Commonwealth seniors health card, a healthcare card, a low income card, a pension concession card, DVA Gold card or a DVA white card. They can access up to 10 free tests in a three-month period. People with symptoms or who are close contacts of positive cases also will get free tests. Mr Morrison said that had always been the case.

Who is paying for the free test for card holders?

The commonwealth will pay half the cost, with the states and territories providing the rest.

If my RAT comes back positive, do I have to book in for a PCR test to confirm?

No. The prime minister said a PCR test was no longer necessary to confirm a positive RAT test, which would take pressure off testing sites.

Will I have to provide a negative RAT before visiting another state?

No, except when the answer is yes. WA, which was not at national cabinet, has not agreed to any change. Queensland will drop the requirement when its double-vaccination rate gets to 90 per cent and Tasmania is expected to announce when it will change within a week or so.

Is anything being done about people hoarding RATs and/or sending them overseas?

You bet! Mr Morrison said the government would work with retailers to ensure people could only buy packs one at a time. Coles has announced today that it has done so. RATs will be added to the list of export controls, meaning people can’t sell them to overseas buyers.

By all means sell rapid antigen tests ... but keep the prices reasonable. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Is anything being done about businesses profiteering to take advantage of the demand for RATs?

Yes. The ACCC has already warned businesses it will “name and shame” them, but the government has taken a harder line, using Biosecurity Act provisions to include RATs in the price-gouging provisions. Those who sell kits for more than a 120 per cent mark-up than what they pay for them could face fines of up to $66,000 and five-year prison terms.

If my home RAT comes up positive, what should I do?

Ring your family doctor. “That is always your first point of contact when it comes to managing your illness, if you are not in hospital. And your GP would be able to assist you through telehealth if you need to go and get further treatment in hospital,” Mr Morrison said.

Will I have to get a PCR Covid-19 test before I show up to hospital for treatment?

No. Though Mr Morrison said it was likely people would be tested once there. Cabinet also discourages the requirement for people who are not symptomatic or close contacts to have tests before treatment at a private surgery.

Truck drivers will no longer have to endure seven-day rolling tests. Picture: Dan Peled

Is there any change for truck drivers?

Yes, the seven-day rolling test for drivers has been scrapped.

Are there any changes for overseas arrivals?

Yes. People who return a negative test on arrival will not need a second test later in their stay unless they develop symptoms or are close contacts.

Will the obligations facing employers become clearer?

That’s the plan. Mr Morrison said the nation’s Attorneys General had been asked to come back by next week with advice on the health and safety obligations of employers. Mr Morrison said that with RATs in short supply is was important they were used for the most important reasons, not simply because businesses believe they were legally obligated to test employees.

When will school-age children be able to get vaccines?

From January 10. Covid-19 taskforce commander Lt Gen John Frewen announced that there will be enough paediatric doses to allow all children five to 11-yers-old to have their first dose before school started, in January or early February.

How will the return to school play out?

If all goes to plan it will be smooth. Mr. Morrison said all leaders had agreed that they did not want schools opening and closing and wanted to avoid disruptions. Officials from across the country would meet to develop a consistent national framework. “The objective here is very clear and we are all (shared) our view that schools go back and stay back,” Mr Morrison said. “On day one of term one.”