Shops ‘won’t have tests for weeks’ due to freight delays
It will probably take weeks for shops to find and import rapid antigen tests for public sale, Retail NZ says.
In phase 3 of the Government’s Omicron response, testing for the virus would rely on rapid antigen tests that take 15 minutes to give a result, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said on Thursday.
The Government expects the public will be able to purchase their own antigen tests – or Rats – from next week. Supervised Rats for those who are close contacts or symptomatic will remain free.
More than 5 million tests arrived in the country in the 24 hours to yesterday and 10 million would arrive over the weekend, bringing total supply to 22 million by Monday, the Government said yesterday.
But they are not for public purchase, and will be shipped to community testing centres, general practice doctors and pharmacies.
Businesses that need them under the close contact exemption scheme can also access them. Pharmacies and supermarkets are likely to stock the tests for public purchase first.
Retail NZ manager of public affairs Aimie Hines said her organisation was working with the Government to ensure access to Rats was widespread. ‘‘We would like to see a range of retailers offering Rats.’’
It would allow for a competitive price point and better access for not only the public but for business owners who had not been able to import their own. ‘‘Retailers need lead time to get tests into the country, which is two to three weeks away because of freight and shipping delays,’’ Hines said.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield expected Rats to cost $8-$10 each. ‘‘When rapid antigen tests become available through retail outlets that will be through private suppliers, they will determine the price,’’ he said. ‘‘We have got a pretty good idea of what we think is a reasonable price – somewhere between $8 and $10 a test.’’
A Countdown spokeswoman said the supermarket chain was still waiting for advice from the Government. ‘‘But it has been something we have been preparing for.’’
When asked if the supermarket chain had already purchased tests to sell, she said Countdown did not have anything to update.
Corporate affairs manager at Foodstuffs NZ Emma Wooster said her organisation welcomed the Government’s announcement that businesses would be able to sell Rats.
Trade Me’s head of trust and safety, Lisa Kerr, said it did not yet allow the sale of Rats.
‘‘In the past week we have seen over 3400 searches for rapid antigen tests, an increase of 492 per cent when compared with the week prior,’’ she said. ‘‘In the next couple of weeks we will be looking at how we can help Kiwis access rapid antigen tests safely on our site when they are made available to the general public.’’
‘‘We would like to see a range of retailers offering Rats.’’
Aimie Hines
Retail NZ