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Wellington Shire Council provides free COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Program for vulnerable people until 30 June 2023

Wellington Shire Council has received funding from the Victorian Department of Health to provide COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) to eligible people.

By news@gippsland - 29th November 2022 - Back to News

The Council COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test Program is happening now and will run until 30 June 2023. The state government program provides RATs to people living with a disability, people who are immunocompromised, or anyone who may face barriers accessing tests under normal circumstances.

RATs are now available for people living with a disability, people who are immunocompromised, or anyone who may face barriers accessing tests under normal circumstances

Supporting the most vulnerable

To continue to help with early detection and treatment of COVID-19, free rapid antigen tests are available to support those most vulnerable in our Wellington community, including:

• People aged 70 years or older
• People with a disability, immunocompromised people (self-declared) or their carer including NDIS participants, Disability support pensioners and people with a disability who receive a Transport Accident Commission benefit
• Commonwealth Concession Card holders including people with a Victorian Seniors card, Pensioner Concession card, Commonwealth Senior Health Care card and Health Care card, Low Income Health card and Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold, White or Orange cards

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye said this extra funding further enhances the important role that Council has been undertaking throughout the pandemic to support residents to stay healthy and protected, especially the most vulnerable in our community.

RAT centres locations

Cr Bye said, "Over the next six months, we will aim to distribute up to 9,000 individual tests to those who are most at risk and vulnerable to COVID-19." Eligible people are encouraged to collect free tests from collection sites located at Council Customer Service Centres in Sale and Yarram, or at any Wellington Shire library branch.

Wellington libraries are located in:

• Heyfield
• Maffra
• Rosedale
• Sale
• Stratford
• Yarram

A limit on the amount of test kits available per person will be at the discretion of Council. For more information about accessing free RATs, visit COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Community Information website or contact us on 1300 366 244.

Other Gippsland councils RATs

Latrobe City Council is also giving away free Rapid Antigen Test (RATs) for eligible Victorians.You can now collect your Rapid Antigen Tests from libraries at Moe, Morwell, Churchill and Traralgon. You are eligible if you are aged 70 and older, have a disability, are immunocompromised, or are a carer or holding a Seniors, Pensioner Concession, Commonwealth Senior Health Care, Health Care, Low Income Health Care, or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold, White or Orange card.

You can also read up more about free Rapid Antigen Tests from South Gippsland Shire Council.

Pictures from Wellington Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com