She acknowledged that the issue of not closing the economy, allowing everyone who wants and can do it to work, is very important.
“That’s why we spent a lot of time discussing the provision of safe services. We agreed that further research should be done into rapid tests that are more efficient, faster. This could enable both recipients and providers to receive services safely without endangering their health.” convinced Indriksone.
She also stressed that rapid antigen tests cost less.
The MEP also informed that a solution had been found at the meeting to further motivate GPs to get involved in increasing vaccination coverage.
The Ministry of Economics (MoE) also acknowledged the need to make testing more accessible by improving the testing process and the range of recognized tests in order to expand the possibility of providing services in the “yellow mode”. Therefore, for consideration by the MoE, the Operational Steering Group was suggested to consider the possibility of making rapid antigen testing more accessible for receiving and providing services, not only in laboratories, but also under the supervision of specially trained persons, because correct sampling is essential for antigen testing. The Ministry points out that such a testing process was recognized in several other European Union countries, including Germany, Austria and Portugal.
In the opinion of the MoE, allowing the service provider to serve customers also with rapid antigen tests would relieve the workload of laboratories, identify more patients, especially in the early stages of the disease, including vaccinated people.