The Government has promised it has enough rapid Covid-19 tests for the coming wave of Omicron, with a further 36 million rapid antigen tests purchased for delivery in February and March.

Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall on Tuesday afternoon announced the Government had in the past week purchased the 36m tests from two companies, bringing the total number of tests available to the Government by the end of March to 55 million – enough to test all New Zealanders twice a week.

The Government came under fire last week after businesses, both seeking to import the rapid antigen tests to sell, and to use to test their own staff, complained publicly that the Government had over-rode their orders with a test manufacturer, to secure its own supply.

Verrall on Tuesday pushed back at the claim, saying the manufacturer has confirmed that no private orders were used to fill the Government’s orders.

The total supply of the rapid antigen tests – which are taken at-home and can detect the virus in people with higher viral loads within 15 minutes – will total 123 million by June, the Government says.