Coronavirus: Less invasive rapid tests for general population

The health ministry said on Thursday that less invasive nasal swabs will from now on be used for coronavirus rapid tests among the general population.

Antigen rapid testing through nasal instead of nasopharyngeal swabs started being performed at certain rapid testing sites since Wednesday, the ministry added.

The decision was taken after the European Commission published the list of tests mutually recognised by all member states which includes nasal antigen tests.

So far, only minors received nasal swabs during their mandatory weekly testing.

The health ministry added it has purchased nasal swab tests to accommodate the mandatory testing in a less invasive way.