J. Naď: Across-the-board testing of SVK citizens is the only alternative to lockdown

According to the head of the MOD, across-the-board testing of SVK citizens for COVID-19 is the only alternative to the country’s complete lockdown, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic after the meeting of the SVK Cabinet today.

The Defence Minister provided an update on all aspects of COVID-19 testing, which is becoming the subject of questions by journalists. He confirmed that the across-the-board COVID-19 testing programme will be free for all citizens. On entering the testing site, individuals need to present their ID cards, while children and youth aged 10 to 15 need to show their health insurance cards. Children aged below 10 will also be allowed to take a swab test.

The Minister also introduced the alternative to home quarantine for those who have tested positive for the virus and want to eliminate the risk of spreading the virus to other household members. However, this is not meant to be a state-run quarantine scheme. In fact, hotels will provide quarantine services to customers for a price. The list of such quarantine hotels will be prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Construction.

Another novelty is the option for firms and companies with over 5,000 employees to have their staff tested at work rather than being tested as part of the across-the-board screening programme, whereas the antigen tests will be delivered to them by the MOD – the only condition is that test results must be forwarded to the National Medical Information Centre (NCZI). Firms and companies need to register for COVID-19 testing by completing a form on the website which is being set up for the purpose and will be operational soon. Similarly, applications for testing via an in-house solution will also be open to different doctor’s surgeries in outpatient clinics and labs – once again the only condition is that test results must be forwarded to NCZI.

Due to the worsening COVID-19 situation, the Pandemic Commission will meet at ‪18:00 today to decide a variety of thus far unresolved issues, for example, whether retesting is necessary for those who have recovered from COVID-19 or whether foreigners living in Slovakia are allowed to be tested. The SVK Central Crisis Staff is set to meet tomorrow.