Eligible community members in the Baw Baw Shire will be able to collect free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) from the Drouin Customer Service Centre, at 33 Young Street, Drouin from today.
The free tests have been made possible by the Department of Health's Community COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test program.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Annemarie McCabe said the Council welcomed the opportunity to take part in the program.
“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," she said.
"Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes the opportunity to take part in the local council distribution program to greater support our community throughout the festive season and into the new year."
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.
- Concession card holders, including: 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, including:
- NDIS participants
- Disability support pensioners
- People with a disability who receive a Transport Accident Commission benefit.
As funded by the Victorian Government, Council has been provided $30,000 to deliver the expanded program until 31 July 2022.
For more information about getting tested and reporting a positive RAT result, visit the Department of Health website or you can call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 675 398.