Czech PM Babis wants free Covid-19 tests for all before Christmas

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Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Tuesday he aimed to offer free antigen testing for Covid-19 by Christmas for any citizens who want it, Reuters reports.

The Czech Republic has been one of the worst-hit countries in Europe in the second wave of the pandemic but Covid-19 infections are falling after weeks of lockdown measures and the government lowered its risk level on Monday.

The country has already started using targeted antigen testing — which is faster and logistically easier than standard PCR tests but not as accurate — in homes for the elderly.

“I would very much like us to meet this challenge to allow all citizens, at least a week or 10 days before Christmas, to be able to be tested voluntarily and for free with antigen tests,” Babis said.

Voluntary mass testing could be part of a strategic plan the Health Ministry is preparing, he added.

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