The government's decision to allow most vaccinated individuals to use lateral flow tests instead of the standard PCR test could result in empty shelves, according to recent trends shared by some retails with Israel Hayom.
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The LFT, known as rapid testing and antigen tests, allows at-home results almost instantly rather than a special lab. The shift to these tests was announced this week as a means of streamlining the efforts. Under the new policy, vaccinated Israelis younger than 60 can use the home tests to avoid isolation and to get a Green Pass (vaccine certificate). Unvaccinated Israelis and those who are 60 and older would still have to undergo a PCR test.
Some vendors say that the rise in sales of LFTs has risen by almost 700% in recent days, but the demand has yet to peak. According to one major retailer, it has already run out of kits following the announcement in some stores.
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said on Wednesday that there might be some temporary disturbances, but "we are going to shore up stockpiles." He added, "There is going to be a major supply of additional kits; we will provide all the necessary tools for the public's health.
Some in the industry warned that although new kits are on the way, shortages are very possible. "The biggest spike was on Sunday this week," Shufersal's Be Pharmacies CEO Ori Watermann told Israel Hayom. He said the big shift was triggered by the government's decision to allow rapid tests as a means of obtaining a vaccine certificate.
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