Provide free Covid-19 self-test kits to public immediately

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the Covid-19 self-test kits should be provided for free to the public immediately.

The Opposition leader said the test kits were now considered to be a necessity.

"This morning, before the (Dewan Rakyat) sitting, me and (Datuk Seri) Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail fulfilled our responsibilities to undergo the Covid-19 screenings, Alhamdulillah, it was negative.

"My call is that the government should immediately provide free self-test kits, especially to the needy groups as these kits are now a necessity," he said on Facebook today.

Since the Parliament sittings started last week, member of the parliaments, duty officers, parliament staff and media personnel were required to undergo periodic Covid-19 tests every Monday and Wednesday to control the spread of Covid-19.

Those who did not undergo the self-screening at the Dewan Serbaguna dan Dewan Bankuet Parlimen were not allowed to enter Parliament and Dewan Rakyat.

Early this month, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry had announced the ceiling price for Covid-19 self-test kit is now set at RM19.90 as retail price and RM16 as the wholesale price.

However, some parties say the test kits remain expensive despite the constant need for tests.

Before the adjustment, a Covid-19 self-test kit was sold at RM39.90.