RATS ready for collection

February 24, 2023 BY Tim Bottams

Generous supply: Free rapid antigen tests are being made available throughout municipal centres until later this year. Photo: TIM BOTTAMS

FREE rapid antigen tests are available for people to pick up from the Golden Plains Shire customer service hubs.

The tests can be collected from the Golden Plains Civic Centre at Bannockburn and The Well at Smythesdale, and the free RATS are to be available until June this year.

Despite lockdowns being lifted, mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said it’s still important to keep the community safe from COVID.

“RATs remain an important tool in proactively identifying COVID-19 in our communities, and I encourage residents to collect free RATs from council’s collection points,” he said.

“This is an important health initiative and if you are feeling unwell, we encourage you to take a test, stay home if you’re sick and wear a mask if you can’t physically distance from others.”

The initiative is part of a State Government campaign to supply free RATs across Victoria.

People are able to collect up two kits with 10 tests each per visit for themselves and for each member of their household.

No eligibility is required and the free tests are available for non-Golden Plains Shire residents.