COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:54): Has SA Health indicated to you that they do not want these test kits made available to the general public?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:54): The comments I heard from the Deputy Chief Public Health Officer earlier today was that—this is Emily Kirkpatrick, as there are four deputy chief public health officers—she did expect that the prohibition would be lifted in the future, but she did not indicate at what point.

Certainly, if we had an outbreak and, God forbid, we suffered a significant community outbreak before 23 November and in a better situation to deal with it, then it may well be sooner rather than later. But, God forbid, we would hope that we can continue with the current strategy and that the broader use of rapid antigen testing is some way off.