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Public Health has advised that the risk level is now Low, as the weekly number of COVID-19 infections continues to drop over previous weeks.
COVID-19 is still in the community, it is important to test early for COVID-19 and stay home if you have symptoms or test positive remains vital to protect yourself and others.
With the risk level at Low and testing rates at state-operated clinics continuing to decline, testing options will be more tailored to ensure continued access to testing, especially for people who are at higher risk of severe illness.
State-operated testing clinics are available for testing until Tuesday, 31 January 2023, including requests for RATs to collect at testing locations.
From 1 February, a number of testing options are available:
- PCR testing will be available via GP clinics or by referral from a GP or health professional to pathology services.
- People unable to access a GP referral will now also be able to discuss testing options through COVID@homeplus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- The East Coast (St Helens) and Launceston General Practice Respiratory Clinics are available for PCR testing.
- Access to free rapid antigen tests (RATs) for concession card holders from Service Tasmania centres has been extended until the end of April 2023. Commonwealth concession card holders can access 10 RATs over a 3-month period and a maximum of 5 per month.
- RATs at Service Tasmania have also been extended to include Tasmanian Seniors Card holders from Monday, 23 January 2023.
- RAT requests for home delivery will continue until the end of April 2023, with access to continue for people living in some rural and regional areas and for people living with disability who are unable to leave their home.
- RATs also remain readily available for purchase at supermarkets and pharmacies across Tasmania.
Remember, get tested if you have any COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms and stay home until symptoms resolve. Wear a face mask if you need to leave home and avoid high risk settings such as hospitals, residential aged care, and disability care settings.