Coronavirus: 51 rapid testing sites for Thursday, all those going back to work must be tested

The health ministry announced 51 rapid testing sites for Thursday, aimed at facilitating the testing also of people who will return to their workplaces on February 1.

According to the relaxations of measures announced on Wednesday, people returning to their workplace on February 1 need to get rapid tests by January 31.

In order for them to return to work, they need to present a negative rapid test certificate.

The ministry also announced that there will also be obligatory weekly rapid testing among staff physically present in their workplaces (those who continued to work during the lockdown and those returning in February).

As regards the weekly testing, businesses that employ up to three people must make sure all get tested. For businesses employing four to 10 people, at least four of them need to get tested weekly. For businesses with more than 10 employees, at least four or 20 per cent of them need to get tested, whichever is numerically greater.

As of next week, authorities will carry out checks in businesses to make sure employees are tested weekly.

To facilitate workers, the health ministry announced that 51 testing sites will be operating in all districts from January 28 to 31 with extended hours, with two workshops per site and with the possibility of conducting more than 20,000 tests per day.

Employees or companies wishing rapid antigen testing in private labs, the costs will be borne by themselves. The ministry recalled that the maximum charge for rapid antigen test in the private sector is €20.