Taipei, April 27 (CNA) The sale of COVID-19 rapid test kits in Taiwan will be rationed with effect from Thursday, and they will be available at controlled prices at contracted pharmacies and public health centers throughout the country, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said Wednesday.
Under the government's rationing plan, buyers will be required to present their National Health Insurance (NHI) card or Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) to buy one test kit each on designated days, said Chen, at a press briefing of the Central Epidemic Command Center he heads.
The last digit of the identification card number will determine which days the holder will be able to purchase a COVID-19 rapid test kit, he said.
The kits will be sold on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to people with an odd number as the last digit on their cards, while those with an even number will be able to buy the tests on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Chen said.
On Sundays, the kits will be available to anyone who holds an NHI card or Taiwan government-issued ARC, he said.
Update
May 7: Quarantine cut to 7 days for mild, asymptomatic COVID-19 cases: CECC
May 7: Taiwan rolls back quarantine rules for contacts of COVID-19 patients
May 5: Rapid test positives to be counted as confirmed COVID cases from May 12
May 3: Taiwan to shorten quarantine for arriving travelers from 10 to 7 days
May 2: Symptomless people to face restrictions in getting PCR test
April 28:COVID-19 contacts to receive fewer free tests during '3+4' quarantine
The 10 million packets that will be distributed each contain five rapid tests, which will be sold under the rationing plan at a controlled price of NT$500 (US$17) per kit, he said.
Some 4,909 NHI-contracted pharmacies and 58 public health centers throughout the country will sell the rationed test kits, Chen said, adding that information about the specific pharmacies can be found on the websites of the National Health Insurance Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations (all in Chinese only).
Update
May 2: Symptomless people to face restrictions in getting PCR test
April 29: Pharmacists group critical of low rapid test deliveries for weekend
Related News
April 28: Nearly 60,000 COVID-19 rapid test kits sold in 2 hours
April 27: Taiwan to maintain current mask mandate through May
April 27: Taiwan reports 8,923 COVID-19 cases, two deaths
April 26: New '3+4' quarantine rule for contacts of COVID cases
April 21: Rapid testing to replace preventive quarantine: health minister
April 18: No tests needed for mild COVID-19 cases to end 10-day quarantine: CECC
April 14: Taiwan to requisition 40 million COVID rapid tests a month: premier
April 12: Taiwan replaces PCR testing with rapid tests to end quarantine
April 7: Taiwan suspends some COVID contact tracing, adopts new control model
![Taiwan's domestic COVID-19 cases continue to surge]()
Taiwan's domestic COVID-19 cases continue to surgeDaily domestic COVID-19 cases in Taiwan shot up 11.5 percent week-over-week to reach 43,241 on Sunday, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).10/02/2022 07:48 PM![Taiwan reports 43,307 new COVID-19 cases, 62 deaths]()
Taiwan reports 43,307 new COVID-19 cases, 62 deathsTaiwan on Sunday reported 43,307 new cases of COVID-19 and 62 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).10/02/2022 02:23 PM![Taiwan reports 43,085 new COVID-19 cases, 48 deaths]()
Taiwan reports 43,085 new COVID-19 cases, 48 deathsTaiwan on Saturday reported 43,085 new COVID-19 infections, including 45 imported cases, and 48 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).10/01/2022 03:20 PM
- Business
Singapore launches tourism events to attract Taiwan visitors
10/02/2022 09:28 PM - Society
91-year-old kills woman after reversing onto sidewalk at high speed
10/02/2022 09:08 PM - Politics
German parliamentary group to meet with President Tsai, VP Lai
10/02/2022 08:52 PM - Society
More than 141,000 free flu shots administered on first day of rollout
10/02/2022 08:29 PM - Culture
Opera lovers to be treated with 3 productions around Taiwan in October
10/02/2022 08:17 PM