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Free Rapid Antigen Tests for Baw Baw community available at Drouin Customer Service Centre from 3 January 2023

Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) available for vulnerable community members of Baw Baw Shire.

By news@gippsland - 3rd January 2023 - Back to News

From Tuesday 3 January, eligible community members within Baw Baw Shire will be able to collect free Rapid Antigen Tests from the Drouin Customer Service Centre, located at 33 Young Street, Drouin. The Department of Health (DH) is expanding its Community COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Program with councils to make RATs free and available for priority and high-risk community members.

If you test negative and feel unwell, stay home until your symptoms go away, if you must go out, wear a well fitted mask when indoors and shared outdoor spaces

Expanded program

The expanded program has provided funding to council to distribute five tests (1 kit) to eligible community members, including:

• People aged 70 years or older
• People with disability, immunocompromised people (self-declared) or their carer

Eligible community members also include concession card holders:

• Victorian Seniors card
• Pensioner Concession card
• Commonwealth Senior Health Care card
• Health Care card
• Low Income Health Care card
• Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold, White or Orange cards

People with disability or their carer can receive 20 tests (4 kits), in line with eligibility criteria, as funded by the Victorian government, council has been provided $30,000 to deliver the expanded program until 31 July 2023, including:

• NDIS participants
• Disability support pensioners
• People with a disability who receive a Transport Accident Commission benefit

Community members who may be experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, are strongly advised to reach out to a guardian or carer to collect a free RAT kit on their behalf to protect those around them. For more information about getting tested and reporting a positive RAT result, visit the Department of Health website { Know more about the CoronaVirus information and updates in Victoria } or alternatively you can call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 675 398.

Opportunity to take part

Mayor Annemarie McCabe said, "Working throughout the pandemic, I have seen firsthand the impacts Covid-19 has on vulnerable members within our community as well as the strain it puts on our healthcare services."

"Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes the opportunity to take part in the local council distribution program to greatly support our community throughout the festive season and into the new year." Ms McCabe said.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com