Auckland remains at the epicenter of the Omicron outbreak. The latest figures from the Ministry of Education show that 86% of schools in the region have had cases in the past 10 days.
In the past 10 days, nearly 20,000 community cases have been linked to schools in Auckland.
The government announced that it would provide about 1 million RAT kits to schools and early education centers.
Minister of Education/Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins confirmed in a statement that the kits will be distributed by schools to symptomatic children, staff and their families. The move is aimed at keeping schools and early childhood centres as open as possible.
"The feedback I've received from the education department is that getting more RAT tests can help schools stay open," he said.
This is a short-term measure that will be reviewed in a few weeks' time.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Ardern said at a news conference that the move would not be tantamount to turning schools into RAT distribution centers.
"We've got a wide range of RAT tests for people with symptoms, but there are times when kids can be completely fine when they go to school and then suddenly develop symptoms like fever and sore throat."
"If these kids come home with RAT and do a rapid antigen test for the family, we can make it easier for their families."
Ardern said she doesn't expect the school's RAT supply to take particularly long.
Hipkins confirmed that the government expects to provide at least one portable air purifier per school by May, with larger schools receiving more.