Right here’s a full story by way of AAP, taking in feedback made by the prime minister, Scott Morrison, at a press convention this morning:
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has talked down issues concerning the rollout of free fast antigen checks for greater than six million concession cardholders, saying they’re not for important functions.
One Victorian pharmacy northwest of Geelong stated pharmacies had been beneath the impression the federal government would supply the RATs, which they might then distribute to concession cardholders without spending a dime.
Bannockburn Pharmacy expressed its confusion on the mannequin、 with pharmacies having to supply their very own inventory and distribute the checks to cardholders earlier than being reimbursed by the federal government.
“Pharmacies had been beneath the impression that the federal authorities can be allocating inventory they’ve ordered on to us pharmacies,” it stated in a social media submit.
“This might have meant that pharmacies would have acquired inventory across the similar time, making it simpler for the neighborhood (in the event that they maintain a concessional card) to know once they might begin accumulating them.”
Greater than six million concession cardholders will be capable of entry 10 free checks over a three-month interval, with Mr Morrison calling the preparations with pharmacies easy.
“They’re used to doing that with many different medicines they usually observe a really related course of and that’s why we selected to do it with the pharmacies as a result of they’ve the methods in place,” he stated.
However Bannockburn Pharmacy stated provide was already unsure and it didn’t know when the RATs can be delivered or if orders can be delivered in full.
“As a result of pharmacies had been beneath the impression we’d be receiving inventory straight from the federal authorities, it means now pharmacies have to return to suppliers to extend our orders and we don’t know when and if these elevated orders shall be fulfilled.”
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia informed AAP it was nonetheless working via the small print with the federal government however free checks delivered on to pharmacies had been by no means the case.
The prime minister stated the well being minister continued to work intently with the guild and an announcement on preparations shall be made shortly.
Mr Morrison additionally stated important checks had been nonetheless free for Australians.
“I wish to stress – anybody who’s symptomatic or an in depth contact will get a free check. At all times has, all the time will,” he stated.
“The extra supplementary checks that folks shall be getting concessional entry to, they don’t seem to be important checks. They’re discretionary checks.”
Opposition Chief Anthony Albanese stated the federal government wanted to cease pretending there aren’t points with the testing regime.
“Individuals are queuing as a result of they’re sick after which being informed to go and get a fast antigen check which isn’t obtainable they usually can’t discover,” he informed reporters on Monday.
“The hole between what the prime minister says will occur and what truly does occur is one thing that could be a explanation for a lot frustration.”
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says panic shopping for and hoarding is resulting in shortages of check kits.
Mr Joyce stated whereas 200 million checks had been on their means, Australians ought to solely purchase what they wanted.
“Don’t take greater than what you require as a result of which means another person misses out.”
Mr Joyce stated whereas ready for shares to reach, folks ought to train private duty.
“For those who really feel a bit criminal … keep dwelling and watch out as you’ll do should you had the flu or so many different viruses or illnesses you may catch,” he stated.
“It’s extra necessary than a chilly, however should you had a chilly you wouldn’t go round coughing and spluttering on folks.”
