Taiwan is buying rapid test kits in bulk to offer them for free in high-risk areas and situations and to make them more affordable nationwide. That was the word from Premier Su Tseng-chang on Tuesday at a legislative session.
Su says that rapid test kits are essential because of the recent spike in local COVID-19 cases, leading to over 400 new local cases for each of the past three days.
Many are demanding more affordable test kits in Taiwan, citing neighboring countries like South Korea and Singapore, which have programs to distribute free kits. Su says that the government plans on buying the test kits in bulk, so that it can distribute them to people in high-risk areas for free.
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says that Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung, and Taoyuan are classified as high-risk areas, which will allow residents to apply for the test kits. Chen says that the local governments in these areas will be in charge of handling applications and distributing kits to districts with the greatest need.