Food supply chain businesses can now click-and-collect rapid antigen tests at two Bunnings stores, as part of a new pilot program in Victoria.
Under the program, over 100,000 rapid antigen tests are being made available for businesses in critical industries including meat and poultry processing, as they grapple with staff shortages due to COVID-19 infections.
“We are making sure our food supply businesses can keep their staff safe and help people stay in work,” minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford said.
“Rapid antigen tests are helping us to live and work safely at this stage of the pandemic and Bunnings have the click and collect capability to keep this simple for businesses.”
Eligible businesses can buy their tests through the Business Victoria website before picking them up at the Bunnings’ Geelong North and Shepparton, when their allocation is available.
Bunnings’ customer service experience team members will be assisting business customers along the way to help to make the click-and-collect process as simple and convenient as possible and will notify them when their tests are ready for pick-up.
“We’re really pleased to be helping the Government with this pilot by providing an easy and convenient way for critical workforces in Victoria to access rapid antigen tests,” Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said.
“As always, we’re committed to offering community support where it can have the greatest impact and welcome any initiative that helps business keep their team safe and their operations moving, something that we know is more important now than ever.”
The tests come at a cost $8.25 including GST per unit, in packs of five and businesses can order 10, 50 or 100 packs per ABN. The unit price is wholesale, plus a small admin fee. Neither the state government nor Bunnings are profiting from this initiative.
The test kits are not part of Bunnings’ general stock supply and are not available for purchase by store customers.
This pilot is one of many Victorian state government initiatives that support the food supply chain sector in securing enough tests to sustain their workforces. The Victorian government is also investing in long-term solutions such as manufacturing testing kits.
Applications to purchase test packs for the pilot are open until 24 February, or until the allocation is exhausted.
Details of how to apply can be found at business.vic.gov.au.