Taiwan’s government is open to offering new ways to buy COVID-19 rapid tests, just a week after it rolled out a countrywide rationing scheme.
Many people looking for test kits in Taiwan have struggled to find them. Long lines have formed outside pharmacies across the country, with many places selling out early.
That comes as Taiwan faces its biggest wave of COVID infections. The health ministry expects the country to record more than 75,000 new cases by the middle of next week.
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said on Thursday that the next time a big shipment of rapid tests comes in from overseas, he may announce a new way for people to buy them. Chen didn’t give any details.
On Wednesday, Taiwan took bids from several local companies to secure 17 million rapid tests this month. But the government doesn’t expect Taiwan’s supply to increase dramatically for another week.