Dr Nick Coatsworth: Interstate PCR test rules hamper Australia’s Covid effort
Strict interstate PCR testing rules are hampering Australia’s ability to get ahead of the current Covid outbreak, a top doctor has said.
NSW
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Compulsory Covid tests for people travelling interstate for the holidays is stopping Australia from getting ahead of the current Covid outbreak, according to a top doctor.
Kilometre-long queues have plagued Covid testing sites in recent days as holiday makers clog up lines to get a PCR test and the all-clear to travel interstate.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that medical experts were considering advising states to scrap PCR requirements.
Former Australian deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth weighed in, backing the push to scrap mandatory PCR testing for some interstate travel.
Dr Coatsworth told The Today Show that he agreed with the move, claiming the current rules were “stopping” authorities from getting ahead of Covid transmission.
“The travel PCRs need to be abandoned, they’re putting people in queues who don’t need to be there and stopping us from finding the cases,” Dr Coatsworth said.
“If we can’t find people who have Covid-19, they can’t be isolated and it will continue to spread within the community. That’s the medical rationale.”
It comes as several states have scrapped mandatory Covid testing requirements for travellers, with South Australia and the Northern Territory changing the rules to get rid of the enormous queues.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has hinted the same could happen in the Sunshine State too, hinting that a rapid antigen test could soon be good enough to allow tourists in.
Dr Coatsworth praised the move by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet to mail free antigen tests to all NSW households.
“It is outstanding leadership on behalf of the NSW government,” he said.
“What‘s better than a mailed out rapid antigen test for Covid.”
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