WA Health has approved the free distribution of 500,000 COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to be handed out at train stations, shopping centres, major events, universities and TAFEs throughout the State in the coming weeks.
Premier, Mark McGowan said the free RATs would be available from pop-up sites, without the need to register beforehand.
Mr McGowan said train stations at Armadale, Cannington, Perth, Leederville, Warwick, Midland and Bassendean would be the first to have free RATs, with more pop-ups to follow next week.
“The RATs will be disseminated at numerous locations in regional WA, including Broome, Geraldton, Albany and Bunbury, beginning on 28 March,” he said.
The Premier said the initiative was part of the second phase of the State’s free RAT program, complementing the already-announced distribution of 15 free RATs for every WA household.
“As well as being one of the most highly vaccinated places in the world, Western Australians can equip themselves even further to minimise the impacts of the COVID-19 Omicron variant with more free RATs to keep themselves safe and to use when they need them,” he said.
“We want to make sure each and every Western Australian household has the opportunity to access free RATs and can conveniently pick them up when they are out and about in the community.”
Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson said it was heartening to see participating sites and organisations band together to help distribute extra RATs and help the community prepare for the impacts of Omicron.
