With rapid antigen self-testing due to be permitted from November, Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, has invited a globally renowned emergency response specialist and a local testing manufacturer to brief small business owners and workers on its use.

Speaker Dr Ian Norton, founder and Managing Director of Respond Global, is a specialist emergency physician and expert in coordinating emergency health responses to disease outbreaks and disasters. He was head of the WHO’s Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Initiative in Geneva from 2014-20, leading responses to Ebola, Diphtheria and Measles outbreaks as well as to earthquakes, cyclones, and war zones.

Abhay Pawah from Hawkesbury manufacturer, Innovation Scientific, will explain what the testing is and how it can be used. Innovation Scientific has been working with the TGA since their approval last year to supply point of care rapid antigen tests.

“I welcome the Federal and NSW Governments’ decisions to follow what has been happening overseas for many months, as an extra tool in opening up with Covid,” Ms Templeman said.

“Everyone is ready to move into the next phase, especially small business, and I’ve long believed that this testing will help us move around with a sense of security.

“However, we all need to understand how the self-testing works and what its limits are, and it is very timely for local business owners, their workers and customers to learn more.”

Companies were able to start applying for Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval to legally supply rapid antigen self-tests for use at home in Australia this week (October 1) for use after November 1.

“Innovation Scientific is very knowledgeable about what self-testing invol