Queues race for RAT tests but more sites for free tests to open soon
More sites are set to open for the collection of free rapid antigen tests – here’s where you’ll be able to get them over then next week.
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Free rapid antigen tests will be available for collection at eight new sites across the state, after thousands of tests were collected from the first distribution point on Thursday.
Premier Steven Marshall indicated more centres will open over the next 10 days, including in major regional centres.
The state government released a list of LGAs it was working with to organise extra pick-up locations. The exact location of the collection sites will be announced in coming days once they are finalised
Planning is also underway to add collection points at more LGAs in the next fortnight.
The first day of distributing free rapid antigen tests for close contacts went smoothly after initial lines of cars queuing down Greenhill Rd to Anzac Highway, along West Tce and back to Goodwood Rd before the south parklands collection centre opened at 7am on Thursday.
But by mid-morning the wait was down to about 10 minutes and once inside, the pick-up of packs of two free tests took less than five minutes, according to police.
SA Health officials say the bookings so far are not exceeding the 13,000 daily capacity of the site and the registration system will ensure there are enough kits to meet demand.
But the South Australian United Church Netball Association (SAUCNA) fears its almost 500 junior and senior teams’ seasons could be affected by the collection site.
It uses the courts and carpark at the Park 22 supersite site four nights a week for more than 60 grades and its summer season is due to resume on February 1.
In an email to clubs on Thursday, SAUCNA said it was only made aware of the plan on Monday. It had been advised those attending games would need to use an alternate car park on the other side of Anzac Highway and cross the road to enter Park 22.
“We are disappointed that decisions have been made without consulting us as major stakeholders for Park 22,” the email says. “The board has raised immediate concerns about the impact this will have on all attendees, particularly children, in having to cross Anzac Highway to access the courts. We have voiced our strong objection to this hub, considering the safety and welfare implications.”
Infectious South Australians now face fines for failing to report a positive home Covid-19 test.
On Wednesday, Premier Steven Marshall said patients would be compelled to disclose a positive rapid antigen result, a day after insisting it would not be compulsory.
Labor Mawson MP Leon Bignell, who represents areas including Kangaroo Island, also criticised the lack of regional centres.
“Once again, the people outside of the inner metropolitan area have been forgotten by the Marshall government,” he said.
“A free RAT gets expensive once you add ferries, fuel, airfares, accommodation or other costs into a trip to Adelaide’s south parklands.”
Under new legal directions, authorised by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, those who fail to report results to SA Health face a $1000 fine although authorities have allowed grace periods with education on Covid rule changes.
A new direction, which came into effect on Thursday, was also released about the use of PCR tests in SA.
The purpose of the direction was to ensure that Covid-19 PCR test resources remain available for those people displaying symptoms of Covid-19, or those who are at high risk of Covid-19 exposure and “are not used in circumstances where rapid antigen tests are an appropriate alternative”, the direction stated.
Public and private pathology service providers have been directed to only test a person with a PCR test if the person was:
– Displaying symptoms of Covid-19;
– Directed to undertake a test by an authorised SA Health officer;
– They were required to test before interstate or overseas travel; or
– The person had a positive result on a Covid-19 rapid antigen test.
Mr Stevens said the “next few days will be pretty messy but we will get through”.
He said authorities would not be chasing people to fine, which was reserved for “blatant” rule breaking.
Nursing student Ellie Wilkinson, 20, of Norwood, trialled the system.
“I’ve been a close contact before and I feel like if it happens again it will be so handy to have this option,” she said.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Peter Malinauskas has completed his 10 days isolation after he tested positive to Covid-19 on January 3.
It is understood Police Commissioner Grant Stevens will be released from isolation on Friday.
Very nice to be out of isolation! pic.twitter.com/PnebVlNiBF
— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) January 12, 2022
It is understood modelling is showing an Omicron peak between Friday next week and January 25. It forecasts a doubling of current cases and hospitalisations. More hospitals will now treat Covid patients as SA recorded more than 50,000 cases.
New state government data shows how restrictions have slowed infections.
Cases are doubling every eight days, compared with every second day at Christmas.
Authorities announced new venue restrictions on Boxing Day and urged working from home. The Covid ready committee heard Queensland and Tasmania’s cases are doubling every four days. NSW and Victoria data was unavailable.
Mr Marshall said restrictions have been “incredibly tough” but necessary to slow the spread of Omicron.
“This new set of data shows the tough calls we made on Boxing Day were critical in slowing our infection rate to ensure our health system is not overrun,” he said.
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