As Phase 2 restrictions gradually ease up over the next week, more accessible Covid-19 self-test kits will be made available for sale in pharmacies across the island. Set to take effect from 16th June 2021, the sale of these 19 self-test kits is expected to be moderated and will be limited to 10 antigen rapid test (ART) kits per person to ensure there are adequate supplies for all.
Producing results in under 20 minutes, these ART kits are simple to use and can be self-administered when necessary. The introduction of these kits is thus intended to further complement Singapore’s overall surveillance strategy, and identify infected cases amongst individuals who do not have acute respiratory infection symptoms, but are concerned that they may have been exposed to Covid-19.
Available for sale at Guardian, Unity, and Watsons, these ART kits come in four variations – Abbott PanBio Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test, the Quidel QuickVue At-Home OTC Covid-19 Test, the SD Biosensor Sars-CoV-2 Antigen Self-Test Nasal, and the SD Biosensor Standard Q Covid-19 Ag Home Test – which will be worth approximately $10 to $13.
Despite the convenience of these kits, the MOH encourages those who test negative on their self-test ART to still stay vigilant and adhere to the prevailing safe management measures. Subsequently, those who have acute respiratory infection symptoms should continue to visit their doctor for a full diagnosis and PCR test instead of relying on an ART self-test kit.
