The Victorian government has expanded it local government rapid antigen test distribution service to more than 200 council sites.

The program, launched across 180 sites last December, enables Victorians to pick up two free packets of RATs through their local council.

The move is designed to help with detection and treatment of Covid-19 following the closure of state-run PCR testing sites at the end of last year.

“We’ve partnered with local councils across Victoria to make sure all Victorians can pick up free RATs at more than 200 sites,” local government minister Melissa Horne said in a statement on Tuesday.

The council RAT distribution program is currently operating at sites including libraries and council customer service centres, and is open without eligibility requirements to all Victorians.

Individuals can collect up to two packets for themselves plus up to two packets for each household member per visit while people with a disability or their carer can collect up to four packets of tests.

Demand for PCR tests drops

The state government announced last December it was expanding access to RATs as demand for state-funded PCR testing declined.

It also wants to get healthcare workers back into high-demand healthcare settings.

All state-run PCR testing sites closed on December 31, along with nine remaining state-run mobile vaccination services, with vaccinations now being done via GPs and pharmacies.

The state government will support councils to provide free RATs until June.

More than 125 million RATs have been distributed to Victorians this year, and more than 22 million PCR tests have been performed since January 2020.

There have also been more than 16 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the state since February last year.

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