Rapid tests for essential antigens to deal with Omicron – EMA

The EMA says it has looked at what is happening in Australia and other countries and concluded that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are what will keep New Zealand open for business and avoid ” seriously ill” for our workforce.

Chief Executive Brett O’Riley said Australia’s nasal swab and COVID-19 tracking systems are overtaken by the Omicron COVID-19 variant, and we need to have a variety of rapid tests antigens stored ready for use in businesses, homes and public facilities.

“The spread of this new, more virulent strain is unfortunately inevitable and it is impossible for companies to put in place effective plans to continue operating unless they can test staff quickly, easily and inexpensively. We need RATs to minimize the transmission of infections in the workplace and to allow access across our international borders to returning New Zealanders and skilled migrants,” he says.

Mr O’Riley says that currently access to RATs is restricted and you pay for them yourself, but the Government must immediately facilitate this by approving test kits for wider use, funding the kits and not missing more opportunities for easy access to provide.

“Any of our EMA members can import RATs that are already approved and used overseas, including Australia. They have millions of kits readily available in New Zealand. Unfortunately, they have not yet been able to get approval here and again we seem to have an opaque procurement process that is not focused on getting the right results which further jeopardizes our economy and our communities. The Department of Health’s saliva testing supply fiasco last year would have created a better process this time around, but that doesn’t seem to be the case after several months of frustration.

Mr O’Riley says the country’s color in the COVID traffic light system will not be relevant if the situation in some Australian states is replicated here. There are prolonged shutdowns for staff due to waiting for tests and results, meaning up to 25% of people are off work. This would have a catastrophic impact on businesses and public services, including the health sector.

“It doesn’t matter if businesses are able to operate, they just won’t have the capacity because they won’t have the people. We know the skills shortage is even greater and there is a need for everything from truck drivers to programmers, chefs, waiters, carpenters, engineers to project managers. With the current immigration and MIQ situation, employers will definitely not get any from abroad in the short term to fill in the gaps,” he says.

Mr O’Riley is very concerned that despite indications from senior government ministers that RATs would be widely available in November last year, they are still not receiving the urgency required for distribution.

“The fact that a Kiwi company able to access kits used in New South Wales, the UK and Singapore cannot gain approval here, and the lack of details from the government on the preparation of ‘Omicron, means companies perceive we’re not as ready as we should be for Omicron – it sounds like Delta again.

For companies in New Zealand – including EMA member companies – using the small number of RATs available, this works well. But the current process is not an option for all businesses due to lack of kit availability and cost.

” What’s the problem ? New Zealand cannot afford to enter another prolonged lockdown, and we want to help be part of the solution that keeps our economy open and our communities safe. Much of this uses RATs.