Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health has set the rate for the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for local residents and visitors heading to the Pa Enua from Monday, January 24.

For those travelling to the Pa Enua, this test must be taken at the RAT Testing Hut at the Rarotonga International Airport.

Since the international borders opened on January 13, there have been no charges applied for this test which is being undertaken by medically trained personnel.

However from next Monday, Arataki Cook Islands, contracted by and in partnership with Te Marae Ora, will be responsible for providing the RAT testing services at the airport. Each test will cost $10.

A Rapid Antigen Test must be taken for any recent arrivals who overnight on Rarotonga prior to departure to Aitutaki. Same-day transit passengers (those who arrive on the international flight and fly direct to Aitutaki) do not need to have a RAT test.

For the purposes of domestic travel, Rarotonga and Aitutaki are considered a combined “bubble”. This means that anyone – fully vaccinated locals and recently arrived fully vaccinated travellers from New Zealand can travel between Rarotonga and Aitutaki without any stand-down period.

Anyone who arrives off a flight from Auckland and wants to travel to the Pa Enua (excluding Aitutaki), must first stay on Rarotonga for seven days.

They too must undertake a RAT test prior to departure and will be required to sign a declaration that they have been in the Cook Islands for seven consecutive days.  And, if not fully vaccinated they will need an exemption to travel from Te Marae Ora. Unvaccinated locals including children under 12 years will also need an exemption to travel from Te Marae Ora.

Earlier this month, tourism operators, private and public service sectors attended training sessions on how to perform Rapid Antigen Tests for Covid-19, in preparation for the opening of the borders.

The training sessions were conducted by Te Marae Ora Health Intelligence Unit consultant Mirella Simpson.