The Government will extend the reimbursement of rapid antigen tests (TRAg) until the end of March, but each user is entitled to only two free tests, the Assistant Secretary of State for Health announced today.
“We understand that the exceptional regime for the reimbursement of rapid tests will remain in force during the month of March and will include two free tests per month for each user”, said António Lacerda Sales, at a press conference in which he also announced the reduction of the number of active vaccination centers.
In January, the executive had already decided to extend the exceptional regime that allowed the State to reimburse four SARS-CoV-2 tests carried out in a pharmacy or laboratory per month until the end of February.
The measure will continue during the month of March, but each user will be able to perform only two free tests per month.
The official justified the reduction in the number of reimbursed tests by reaffirming that Portugal is currently in a new phase of the pandemic, with a positive evolution of the epidemiological situation and the easing of measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the new rules, announced last week, the presentation of a negative test for SARS-CoV-2 is no longer mandatory in almost all situations, with the exception of visits to homes and in health facilities.
“According to the current epidemiological evolution, according to the easing of restrictions that we have seen, there is in fact a lower need for testing in the current times”, maintained Lacerda Sales.
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