Updated Tuesday March 8: There are two collection points in Wānaka for RATs ordered online . The Wānaka Pharmacy on Helwick Street and the Recreation Centre at Three Parks.

Rapid antigen tests (RATs) for Covid-19 are now available free for home testing but there has been some confusion about the process for collecting them, local health agencies say.

Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, or asymptomatic household contacts of a positive case, can order free RATs through the Ministry’s new RAT requester website and then pick them from a collection site.

But it’s important that people check the collection times for their orders and follow the pick-up instructions they receive when they place the online order, Wellsouth said.

Additionally, people must not show up to get a test until they have ordered a test online

A local pharmacist told the Wānaka App that Wānaka pharmacies are fielding a high volume of calls for RATs, as well as people walking in to collect RATs they ordered on the Ministry of Health site without following the collection time instructions. 

“It is causing stress for all and increased infection risk to staff and regular customers,” they said.

[updated Tuesday March 8] There are two collection points in Wānaka for RATs ordered online . The Wānaka Pharmacy on Helwick Street and the Recreation Centre at Three Parks.

The Wānaka Pharmacy RAT collection procedure is contactless to protect people collecting the RAT as well as other customers and staff. People who have pre-ordered RATs from Wānaka Pharmacy must text the pharmacy with their name and Ministry of Health number; wait at least one hour; then wait at the pharmacy’s front door and text again.

WellSouth said it was also important that people only order tests if they meet the requirements.

“People need to be symptomatic or be a household contact of a Covid case. It’s important that people who really need access to tests get access,” a WellSouth spokesperson said.

A rapid antigen test (RAT) is a screening test for Covid-19 which can provide a result quickly.

The introduction of RAT tests means many more people can be tested and get results more quickly, helping reduce the spread of the virus. 

WellSouth CEO Andrew Swanson-Dobbs said there are currently 36 community collection sites in Otago and Southland.

“This is considerably more than any other district of the country – and more sites in more locations are being added.”

PHOTO: Supplied