COVID tests will be funded 50-50 between state governments and the Commonwealth,meaning travellers will not have to fork out $150.Credit:Matt Roberts/Getty Images
However,Medicare only covers the cost if a person has COVID-19 symptoms,meaning travellers were expecting to face a $150 bill for each test – or $600 for a family of four – through a private pathology company.
However,late on Tuesday,federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said confirmation that an official text message would be accepted as evidence of a negative PCR test meant the tests could continue to be covered under the 50-50 Commonwealth and state government funding model.
“This confirmation will be welcome by families,friends,border residents and many,many tourism businesses,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday,when asked if people would be able to print out evidence of their negative PCR test results to show at the border,Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk replied:“Yeah,we’re looking at that,to have the text message,yeah,that’d be fine.”
Health Minister Greg Hunt said confirmation an official text message would be accepted as evidence of a negative PCR test to enter Queensland meant the tests could continue to be covered under the 50-50 Commonwealth and state government funding model.Credit:SMH
That was backed up by Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe,who said Queensland would accept proof of a negative PCR test via text message or other digital means,with no formal certificate required.
Mr Hunt said the Commonwealth and states already jointly funded tests for people who were sick or had COVID symptoms at mass testing clinics without seeing a doctor,in addition to people who needed a test as a result of a state or territory public health order.