Every citizen is entitled to one self test per week. Four per month. For a period of two months, which can be obtained for the pharmacy, by showing his AMKA. For minor children the self tests will be provided by their parents.
The supply of pharmacies will start next Wednesday, April 7, By the end of the week the 11,000 pharmacies across the country will have sufficient quantities to distribute them in the first phase to high school students aged 16-18 and teachers.
Then to citizens of productive ages from 18 to 67 years and finally, over 67 years.
The self tests will be done exclusively at home and not in the pharmacies. They will simply deliver the packaging in which there will be clear printed instructions in Greek for the correct taking of the sample. And the execution of the diagnostic test.
It is clarified that the individual test is for healthy and asymptomatic people. When a citizen has symptoms of infection, ie fever, cough or other, the negative test should always be confirmed by a molecular test.
What are self tests
Self-diagnostic tests are mainly nasal tests or saliva tests. Simple to use, with simple instructions for use and specially designed so that everyone can use them effectively on their own. This is the main difference from rapid tests. In case of a positive result, then the citizens must take a second quick test. Which can be conducted free of charge in a public structure, in order to confirm the initial result.
Mandatory self-test per week by students and teachers
Parents will be able to receive the appropriate tests for their children by showing their AMKA.
– the self test will take place at home 24 to 48 hours before the start of the courses. The result will be recorded on the platform self-testing.gov.gr;
– in case of a negative result, the parent / guardian should print and sign the relevant certificate. The student will bring this with them throughout the week. They will show it to the teacher in his class who will be in charge of the presentation.
– those students who test positive should take a second antigen test as soon as possible. Free of charge in a public facility to justify their absence from school;
– those students who do not bring the certificate with them will not be able to attend their classes. Nor will there be a possibility of distance learning.
For what other categories of citizens are self-tests mandatory
Citizens active in coastal shipping and shipping, retail, business, catering, tourism, processing, and the courts are required to undergo a weekly rapid coronavirus test in addition to students and teachers.
In case of a positive case, the statement will be made on the platform self-testing.gov.gr (which will operate next Wednesday). Depending on the status of citizen (eg employee, student) a certificate will be issued or an SMS will be sent in order to conduct a repeat test. This will be done by a health professional either in a public structure (so it will be free) or in a private structure.
Those who are obliged to take a self test and if it is negative will state that they did it with a responsible statement. The employees – and the teachers – on their behalf, and the parents and guardians on behalf of their students.
It is emphasized that the guarantee of rights (absence from school or work) is fully guaranteed by the second verification test.
By conducting an individual test by the citizens themselves at home once a week, the asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients will be identified in time. They will show symptoms within the next one or two days – with the aim of early detection and isolation of these new cases. Also tracking their close contacts to disrupt the new coronavirus transmission chain.
Experts point out that home self-diagnostic tests can in no way replace epidemiological surveillance. On the contrary, they are an additional means of individual self-diagnosis and self-protection for the early diagnosis and isolation of asymptomatic.
SOURCE: ΑΠΕ – ΜΠΕ