Nine additional RAT collection sites for Canterbury
Canterbury DHB media release: 16th March 2022
Nine additional rapid antigen test (RAT) collection sites will open at pharmacies across Canterbury today.
These pharmacies will be only be fulfilling orders so please remember to place your order for RATs before heading to a collection site – and have your order number ready when you arrive.
Please wear a mask when attending the pharmacy and advise staff if you are symptomatic.
RATs can ordered via the online system (https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz) or by free calling 0800 222 478 to request your RAT tests.
RATs are free for:
- people with COVID-19 symptoms or who are a household contact or who have been instructed to get tested by a health official;
- Critical workers who are household contacts; and
- Border workers who are required to be tested under the Required Testing Order.
“It’s great to see these pharmacies coming on board and expanding the ranges of locations RAT tests are available to our communities,” says Tracey Maisey, ECC Incident Controller, Canterbury DHB.
“This will also help ease pressure on our community testing centres. Please, only request RATs if you have symptoms, you are a household contact or have been directed to take a test by a health official. There’s no need to get a RAT just in case.
“Additional pharmacies are gearing up to become RAT collections sites in the coming days.
“It’s really important that you log the result of your RAT test so that you get the support that you may need if you have tested positive.
“You can do this online through My Covid Record or over the phone by free calling 0800 222 478 and choose option 3. You can also report a RAT result for someone else using these methods. To make a report on behalf of someone else you will need their NHI number, full name and date of birth.”
New RAT Collection Sites in Canterbury
- Addington Pharmacy - 348 Lincoln Road;
- Burwood Pharmacy - 11 Parnwell Street;
- Darfield Pharmacy - 58 South Terrace;
- Ilam Pharmacy - 209 Waimairi Road;
- Kaiapoi North Pharmacy - 40 Charles Street;
- Leeston Pharmacy - 76 High Street;
- Unichem Cashel Pharmacy - 111 Cashel Street;
- Unichem Medical Corner Pharmacy - 237A High Street, Rangiora; and
- Union Street Pharmacy New Brighton - 18 Union Street.
Get up-to-date information on RAT collection sites in Canterbury, such as opening hours.
Please be patient and kind if you need to wait if it is busy. Staff are doing their very best to provide RATs to everyone who needs them as quickly as possible.