At-home test kits on way

AUSTRALIANS will soon be able to take a Covid-19 test from the comfort of their home after the federal government gave the green light for do-ityourself tests to be made available from November 1.

The rapid antigen tests are already widely available abroad, including in the UK and US, and provide a result in just 20 minutes.

Health Minister Greg Hunt (pictured) welcomed the new at-home option, saying it would help Australians adapt to living with the virus.

“One of the critical parts of the national plan is to make sure that people will be able to go about their daily activities safely,” he said. “So I am delighted that the TGA has now recommended that home testing will be available from the first of November.”

But the Health Minister said it would be up to state and territory leaders whether they would allow at-home testing within their jurisdictions.

“The second thing is to ensure that each of the states and territories is in a position to accept (the at-home tests),” Mr Hunt said. “The question of public health orders (is) a matter for the states.”