BYO rapid antigen tests for essential visitors to enter Australian aged care facilities

Some Australia aged care facilities are requiring essential visitors to provide their own rapid antigen tests to gain entry and see their loved ones. Photograph: Resolution Productions/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

Aged care providers are telling essential visitors to find their own rapid tests or be denied entry as the industry grapples with what it describes as a “dire need” for the devices.

The huge demand for rapid antigen tests is posing yet another Covid-related barrier to those wanting to visit their loved ones in aged care, something crucial for residents’ physical and emotional wellbeing.