International Pre-departure Rapid Antigen Tests (RATS)

• International travel has recommenced to several destinations and airlines are now requiring documented proof of a supervised negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result prior to international travel departure. The COVID-19 supervised rapid antigen test is required to be taken within 24 hours prior to the international travel departure time.
• The customer is responsible for ensuring they comply with the timeframes for the COVID-19 testing requirements for international pre-departure travel.
• The customer should check the requirements of both the airline and the country they are travelling to by contacting the country’s local high commission, embassy or consulate in New Zealand. The customer should confirm that a COVID-19 supervised rapid antigen test result is an acceptable form of proof of COVID-19 status for travel to their specific destination. A useful website to check requirements of destinations can be found here.
• For international pre-departure travel purposes, a COVID-19 rapid antigen test must be supervised by a member of the pharmacy team. The service does not need to be provided by a pharmacist but must be undertaken by an appropriately trained member of the pharmacy team.
• The customer must be advised that this is a private service and is not funded. Pharmacy staff must advise the customer the cost to provide the Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Service for international pre-departure travel prior to undertaking the service.
• Only the current Ministry of Health approved COVID-19 rapid antigen tests may be used for the unfunded Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Service for International pre-departure travel.
• The official Proof of a Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Result for Travel form is required to be completed by a member of the pharmacy team. Prior to commencing the Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Service, the pharmacy staff member should explain the possible test results with the customer:
  1. Negative – the Proof of a Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Result for Travel form can be issued; or
  2. Positive – the customer will be asked to leave the pharmacy immediately and follow Ministry of Health Guidance and no Proof of a Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Result for Travel form will be issued; or
  3. Invalid - the test will need to be redone but not for 24 hours, which may disrupt the travel plans of the customer.
• The pharmacy staff must verify the customer’s identity by requesting their passport or driver’s license. The unfunded Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Service for international pre-departure travel CANNOT be completed without confirming the customer’s identity.
• A Proof of a Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Result for Travel form and unfunded Supervised Rapid Antigen test must be completed for EACH traveller.
• A Proof of a Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Result for Travel form must be completed in full, or it will not be accepted by the airline check-in staff. The customer should also keep a copy of the completed form with them as they may be asked to show the form as proof of COVID-19 test on arrival at their destination.
• Appropriate infection control practices must be in place at all times. 
• Prior to undertaking the Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Service for international pre-departure travel, the pharmacy staff must screen the customer and ask:
  1. if they are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19,
  2. if they have been advised to self-isolate or
  3. have they been identified as a household contact. 

If the customer answers NO to all of these questions, then the pharmacy staff member can progress with the testing procedure.

• If the customer answers YES to any of the above questions above, the pharmacy staff must advise the customer that they are unable to perform the rapid antigen test and that the customer should leave the pharmacy and self-isolate and follow current Ministry of Health guidance.
• Once the Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Service for international pre-departure travel is completed, if the customer obtains a negative result, the pharmacy staff must complete the Proof of a Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Result for Travel form in full, sign the form and supply the form with the pharmacy’s dispensary stamp (with date that test was completed).
• If the customer obtains an invalid or failed result, then the customer will need to repeat the rapid antigen test, but the pharmacy will only be able to do this after 24 hours (in accordance with current manufacturing and Ministry of Health guidance).
• The Proof of a Supervised Rapid Antigen Test Result will be given to the customer and the customer will need to present this to the airline check in staff.