The rapid surge in Omicron across the holiday season has pushed testing capacity in many parts of Australia to the limit — here's who can get a PCR test.
Early in the pandemic, the message from governments of all levels was crystal clear: If you have symptoms, get a PCR test.
Other reasons you should get a PCR test are if your rapid antigen test comes back positive or if your local health authorities inform you you're a close contact and ask you to get a test. Western Australia continues to require PCR tests for some contacts and NSW continues to say close contacts should obtain a PCR test "as soon as possible".Travel restrictions have broadly moved away from requiring PCR tests, however, the Northern Territory still requires a negative PCR test for people entering from a hotspot.
That, combined with the fact people seeking a PCR test need to line up at testing centres, pushed the system across much of Australia to breaking point over the Christmas period. A negative rapid test result is also required to enter some parts of the country, including Queensland, Tasmania and the NT .
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