KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the public can now get the Covid-19 self-test saliva antigen rapid test kit for RM4.90 each.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said despite the lower price, the quality of the self-test kits would not be compromised.
"Covid-19 self-test kits have become a necessity for every household, judging the current coronavirus situation in the country.
"With more economic sectors, schools and educational institutions have now reopened, it is necessary for people to self-test periodically.
"Through continuous meetings between my Ministry and the Health Ministry, I have given the green light for the price of the self-tests kit to be further reduced without compromising on the quality of the product," he said in a Facebook post today.
He said to ensure that the self-test kits are easily accessible, permission had also been given by the ministry to allow more supermarkets and chain stores to sell Covid-19 self-test kit that have been approved by the Medical Device Authority (MDA).
"To date, a total of 7,302 premises nationwide are allowed to sell the self-test kits that have been approved by the Health Ministry and MDA."
He said while the price of the test kits were previously reduced to RM6.90 each, he welcomed the initiative made by 99 Speedmart (chain of convenient stores) to sell the self-test kits at RM4.90 each, starting today.
"We appreciate this initiative that will ease the burden of the people and hope other premises will follow suit," he said.