The testing centres employ the antigen rapid test kits (RTK-Ag) and are located at the MBPJ Multipurpose Hall and Pusat Rakan Muda Kompleks Arena PJ, with each test costing RM70.

At a press conference, Rajiv said the trial run that began on Monday at the MBPJ Multipurpose Hall conducted 988 tests and identified 28 people with the virus.

Positive cases are given a referral letter to conduct a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at the nearest district health centre and are advised on home quarantine measures.

“Results come out the same day. Those who have email addresses can go home and have their results sent to them. Those who want a hard copy can return in two hours to collect the results,” Rajiv said.

No appointments are taken, with tests conducted on a first-come-first-served basis. Rajiv allayed concerns that this would create unwanted crowding.

“Anyone who has come over the last five days would have seen that there is no chaos.

“People have behaved very well. They line up in an orderly manner, maintaining social distancing.

“When they go into the hall, all the seats are spaced out more than the one metre apart,  required by the government.”

Research from the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations found that the RTK-Ag tests cost RM50-80 on the low end, but can be priced as high as RM350 at some clinics.

They also noted that these tests should not be used to conclusively diagnose Covid-19 as antibodies can still be detected weeks after infection.

Rajiv said that while no plans are in place to open up more testing sites, he would be happy to oblige if the demand for more is there.

“The question is, why am I opening these centres? Why isn’t the health ministry doing this?

“I hope I wouldn’t have to open up a third centre and the ministry can get its act together to mobilise these tests.

“My opening of these centres is (due to) the failure of government policy that Malaysians do not have access to these tests.

“It’s about time the government seriously looked into rolling out affordable testing nationwide.”

Testing at the MBPJ Multipurpose Hall will be conducted from 1pm to 5pm, while testing at the Pusat Rakan Muda Kompleks Arena PJ will be from 10am to 7pm. Both will be open every day, with the exception of public holidays.

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