Groups have been defined that are entitled to more than the five planned PCR tests per month. However, it was still unclear how these – compared to people who are not entitled – should come to the tests.
“From April 1st, the test strategy will not be easier, on the contrary. Many questions are still unanswered,” summarized Carinthia’s health officer Beate Prettner (SPÖ). In the meeting of the test coordinators of the federal states with the federal government, groups were defined that should also have unrestricted access to PCR tests after April 1st. For example, all people in the nursing home environment: visitors, employees, residents and external service providers. The same applies to sanatoriums, hospitals, emergency services, as well as elementary teachers and children in care. People who still have old PCR gargle tests at home can use a maximum of ten per month. However, it is still unclear how this will be controlled.
And it is still unclear how people who are entitled to more tests per month should have access to them. It still has to be worked out whether this should be done via the respective facilities or laboratories. However, it should be mentioned that the federal government hopes that people will tell the truth and make it credible what they need the additional tests for.
Only two things are fixed after the appointment: The system of suspected case tests remains as before. And the gargle tests should remain. However, there should be other options – for example for people who do not have a smartphone and therefore have difficulty with the throat tests. That could happen through the pharmacies – how exactly was also still open.
Criticism also came from the Medical Association on Friday. “Not only the population, but also the doctors in private practice need clarity quickly as to how the future corona test strategy will be regulated,” explained Johannes Steinhart, Vice President of the Austrian Medical Association and Federal Curia Chairman of the doctors in private practice, in a broadcast. It is by no means acceptable that the corresponding regulations were only made known a few hours before the planned entry into force on April 1st or that one was even kept in the dark beyond the deadline, said Steinhart with regard to the mask and 3G Regulation.
Source: Nachrichten
