Everyone visiting medical institution will have to take rapid antigen test for Covid-19

RIGA - Considering the epidemiological situation, everyone visiting a medical institution will have to take a rapid antigen test for Covid-19, according to the Health Ministry's informative report supported by the government today.

This system will be put into operation on November 1, and will be applied until January 11, 2022.

The ministry expects that the Covid-19 spread will soon affect also medical institutions, restricting health care service provision even more. Therefore, it is necessary to test all visitors and patients for Covid-19.

It is also planned to test patients for Covid-19 during the calls on the Emergency Medical Service, thus, ensuring the necessary epidemiological safety measures in case of hospitalization, if necessary.

In November, additional EUR 5,264,338 should be earmarked for testing patients visiting clinics, and EUR 1,867,998 will be needed in the time period of January 1-11, 2022.

The Emergency Medical Service will use 10,000 antigen tests donated by Riga East University Hospital in the time period between October 26 and November 19. In the time period until January 11, 2022, the Emergency Medical Service will need 21,600 tests.

The money necessary for rapid antigen tests will be allocated from the contingency funds.