how privileged politicians will get rapid covid tests with results in just 10 minutes to get them back to work - but you are still not allowed to?
Politicians are set to introduce rapid Covid testing to their workplace while continuing to prevent members of the public from accessing the tests at home.
Rapid Antigen Testing will be introduced at NSW Parliament this week for politicians and staff to help facilitate the return of more workers to the building.
The tests will take place while home testing using RAT remains illegal in Australia.
'These three days of testing will help ensure all arrangements are working smoothly for when more of us are in the building in the future,' Department of Parliamentary Services boss Mark Webb told staff in an email.
'Testing will take 15-20 minutes and will be conducted by a medical professional.'
Politicians and staffers at the NSW Parliament will undergo Rapid Antigen Testing this week as more people return to work, but the tests remain illegal to use at home
The 'gold-standard' PCR test takes two to three days for a result, with Rapid Antigen Testing produces a result within 10 minutes
Calls for RAT tests to be more widely deployed are growing, with a small group of bus drivers walking off the job in Sydney yesterday morning demanding the tests be introduced at depots across the city.
While rapid testing is already commonly used in the US, Europe and the UK, Australia has been much slower in embracing the technology, preferring the PCR tests that require lab analysis and take two-to three days to return a result.
One of the reasons is the conditions imposed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration , including the need for a health practitioner to supervise the test.
There are also concerns about RAT accuracy and the public health response procedures in place should a positive result be identified.
A schoolgirl performs a RAT test at a school in Austria. Europe, the UK and US has deployed the rapid tests much sooner than Australia, where approval is subject to stricter TGA guidelines
The rapid Covid test involves a nasal swab (using a small cotton bud) that is placed into a chemical solution, with results displayed within 15 to 20 minutes
The tests are able to detect the virus in the acute phase of infection, especially in the week before, and week of, symptoms becoming apparent.
The test involves a nasal swab (using a small cotton bud) that is placed into a chemical solution, with results displayed within 15 to 20 minutes.
'Rapid antigen tests may also be valuable alongside the confirmatory gold-standard PCR testing in an outbreak where there is high local disease prevalence (such as currently in Sydney),' the TGA website states.
While the tests can be done without the help of a health practitioner, the TGA said that without the supervision of a qualified person, an individual or organisation may be held liable if something goes wrong with the performance or interpretation of the test.
Employers, industries, schools and government agencies can use the tests provided they follow the TGA guidelines, including engaging a health practitioner, medical practitioner or paramedic to supervise their use.
Home self-testing remains illegal with the TGA claiming there is a risk some people might conceal or fail to report a positive test.
'Especially if they felt that their symptoms were mild and, for example they might lose employment income, be unable to go on holiday, or miss an important family event.'
Nevertheless, planning and trials for the more widespread use of RAT is currently underway.