Adib Noor
The free antigen rapid test (ART)kits that will be provided to low-income households receiving financial aid is for use over a three-month-period, said Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah in a daily press conference yesterday.
The minister said the 10 free ART kits provided is based on the scenario where a government worker is required to screen for COVID-19 using ART once every two weeks, following the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) guidelines.
“In the period of three months the person will have conducted six art tests, with an extra to spare which can be used in the case of a positive result, following advise by the MoH to take another test the next day for confirmation,” said the minister.
The government recently announced that low-income families receiving monthly welfare assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) through the National Welfare System, can apply for free ART Kits through the Community Development Department (JAPEM) and MUIB.
Under the new initiative each family member will receive 10 ART kits without charge, for use over a three-month period.
“In the case if the person is confirmed to be positive the government will provide free five ART kits, and in the case if the kits do not arrive in time, the person should still have a few available.”
