Train and bus drivers’ anger at NSW Parliament rapid antigen Covid testing

The state government has splashed $1.2 million on a rapid antigen Covid testing contract but a federal agency ruling is hampering their use.

Train and bus drivers are furious that rapid antigen testing will start to be rolled out at state parliament this week while other workers are denied access to the fast tests.

Transport for NSW is currently trialling the quick turnaround tests, but they are not widely in use.

It can be revealed that the state government has spent $1.2 million on a contract for rapid antigen tests (RAT tests) but their use has been hampered by a federal agency ruling requiring the supervision of a medical practitioner.

In a statement, NSW Health said that testing programs have commenced in “many health settings including Justice Health services, selected Ambulance sites, and with NSW Health’s main linen supply site at Parramatta”.

The tests are also being used in acute mental health inpatient settings.

Holy Family Services aged-care worker Santoshi Dangol takes a rapid antigen test. Picture: Tim Hunter

A spokeswoman said RAT tests are an “important and complementary measure” to the standard PCR testing.

“Rapid antigen tests are a good surveillance tool to monitor for COVID-19 in people

who don’t have symptoms.

“NSW Health is looking at how rapid antigen testing can be part of life as vaccination

rates increase and public health measures change,” NSW Health said.

NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union Secretary Alex Claassens on Tuesday called for the rapid tests as an extra safety measure for his members.

“We’ve been calling for on-site testing for weeks. Some employers are moving ahead with testing because they can see the obvious benefits, but regular testing of workers has been removed from the Public Health Order which leaves wriggle room for other employers,” he said.

“Why the NSW Government would decide that testing is important for politicians but not for frontline transport workers beggars belief.”

Meanwhile, the Holy Family Services aged care home at Marayong in has conducted daily rapid antigen testing on 90 staff as part of a four-week trial being run by the Commonwealth government.

“The advantage of Rapid Antigen Testing is that it’s relatively simple and quick and it provides us with greater confidence that the staff are coming to work COVID-19 negative,” Holy Family Services CEO Alexandra Davis said.

“Our staff have a greater sense of confidence in the knowledge that they are working with colleagues who have also been tested and of course, it also reinforces the protection for our residents from COVID-19, which is our main goal.”