Pilbara remote communities to receive 20 free RATs per household

More than 70,000 free rapid antigen tests will be delivered to remote Aboriginal communities across the State including the North West.

The State Government announced on March 25, 74,000 tests would be made available to remote communities, with local Indigenous corporations delivering 20 free tests per household.

The program will see RATs distributed in the Pilbara by Mawarnkarra Health Service, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service and Wirraka Maya Health Service.

They will also be distributed by the Department of Communities in co-operation with the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance, and by local Members of Parliament.

Premier Mark McGowan said delivering RATs directly to the “heart of remote communities” would provide confidence to know that COVID-19 can be detected as early as possible.

Mr McGowan said the tests would distributed by local Indigenous corporations.

“Obviously in remote Aboriginal communities you don’t have the opportunity to go get a PCR test at a hospital clinic and it’s not so easy for us to get them to those locations using Australia Post,” he said.

“Delivering these tests directly to the hearts of remote communities will provide confidence to know that COVID-19 can be detected as early as possible.”

Meanwhile, Karratha residents will be able to get free tests from a pop-up facility at the Karratha City Shopping Centre which will provide an additional 30,000 RATs to locals from March 29.

A pop-up facility will also be at the Primewest Broome Boulevard.

Residents will not need to register beforehand to get the tests from the shopping centre.

Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said he was pleased to see the government distributing more free RATs across the Pilbara.

He said it would ensure residents will be able to prepare for COVID-19 and keep themselves and their communities safe.