Amid a shortage of COVID-19 antigen kits, the government is planning to make test kits available online so that those who may have been infected with the virus, but have no underlying illnesses, can be tested on their own.
A health ministry panel gave the green light to related guidelines on Wednesday. However, it is unclear when they will actually be available online, as manufacturers will then need to register their products for approval.
The move is aimed at reducing the number of people visiting so-called fever clinics in order to be tested. Reducing such foot traffic will allow doctors to focus on patients who have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms.
At present, government-approved antigen test kits are available either at medical facilities or certain drug stores. Municipalities also provide them to those who have symptoms so they can self-test at home.
But the latest move will allow easier access to COVID-19 test kits by permitting sales online.
Amid the seventh wave, people with fevers or other COVID-19 symptoms have formed long lines at clinics to get tested, overwhelming the health care system. There was also a shortage of testing kits as more people sought to get checked, prompting the medical industry to urge the government to ease regulations.
On Friday, newly appointed health minister Katsunobu Kato said the government will consider making the testing kits available for those in need, with medical facilities being the top priority.
Non-approved antigen test kits are already available online and in drug stores. But many municipalities only accept test results using the government-approved test kits, and people who test positive through the unofficial kits cannot be registered as COVID-19 patients.
But given the shortage of government-approved tests, Kanagawa Prefecture has also started accepting test results from unofficial kits.