The Government has approved the retail sale of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) through Foodstuffs stores, following the shift to Phase 3 of the RED setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
“We’re moving quickly to make these available for customers as our priority continues to be keeping our customers and team members safe and working hard to deliver essential supplies to New Zealanders,” says the Foodstuffs team.
As part of Foodstuffs commitment to be HereforNZ, Rapid Antigen Tests will be sold at cost price at PAK’nSAVE, New World and Four Square stores and could be available in stores from early March.
Foodstuffs will sell the Orient Gene Rapid COVID-19 Self Test 5-pack ($32.99 per pack) and the Ecotest COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Nasal Pen 2-pack ($19.99 per pack).
“Rapid Antigen Testing is also proving a valuable surveillance tool within our co-operatives. Our teams in supply chain and our distribution centres are taking regular Rapid Antigen Tests, which is reducing the risk of transmission at our sites and giving our people extra reassurance we’re doing all we can to keep them safe at work,” says Foodstuffs.
Phase 3
The Foodstuffs team says: “Operating in Phase 3 means we’re maintaining our support towards slowing the spread of Omicron and protecting our vulnerable communities. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we’re prepared and as ready as we can be for what the Omicron peak brings. We have plenty of stock in our distribution centres and we’ve been cross training and employing more people so we can keep the stock flowing to our stores and onto shelves.”
“We’re keeping all the tools we have in place to help keep people safe, including increased hygiene and sanitation measures, physical distancing in store, mask use for teams and customers and scanning the QR app.”
Changes you may see in-store
Foodstuffs says: “As more team members are required to isolate you may start to see some changes in-store, this is to make sure we can keep our teams and customers safe and the stock flowing onto shelf, so what you need is there when you do your shopping.
“During the Omicron peak, we may reduce the opening times of individual stores, please check our websites and your local store’s Facebook page for the latest up-to-date information.
“We may also limit the number of products customers can buy in one shop, so everyone has a fair opportunity to get what they need. This will vary from store to store.
“Our Kiwi suppliers and manufacturers are also doing their best to keep the stock flowing, if your favourite item isn’t available when you shop, please take the opportunity to try something different.”
Foodstuffs is 100% locally owned and operated, so store owners know their communities and their customers and go the extra mile to meet their needs. Over the past two years they have continued to keep all of their stores open, and they are proud of that.
“We’re a small country and we’ve done well through this pandemic by working together and respecting each other, and we’ll need to continue to do that,” says the Foodstuffs team.
