Salzburg introduces free PCR tests
From October 27th it will be “Salzburg gargles”. Because PCR tests are considered to be much more accurate. Around 100,000 PCR gargle tests per week are to be carried out in Salzburg.
Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) hopes that the test campaign will reveal many asymptomatic diseases in order to avoid further infections. In addition to the CoV vaccination, the state government will also get the rising number of infections under control with the free PCR tests.
Haslauer expects the “2.5 G rule” in November
In addition, the governor assumes that the rapid tests as “3-G evidence” will no longer be valid in November. “It will come, I’m pretty sure of it,” said Haslauer on Wednesday and added, “I assume that November will be in autumn, more in the first than the second half of November, that only PCR tests will be carried out apply and antigen tests are no longer recognized. “
However, there is still no announcement or statutory regulation from the Ministry of Health.
How the PCR tests work
From October 27th, interested parties can pick up the free PCR gargle tests. A pack of ten tests is issued for up to three people in a household. The PCR kits are free of charge for those willing to test. The federal government pays 5.45 euros per test, including the entire output and collection logistics.
There are 54 dispensing stations at SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and in the Maximarkt Anif (Flachgau) and Bruck an der Glocknerstrasse (Pinzgau) throughout the state. After gargling & the tested, take the sample to a dispensing station. There are a total of 241 stations in 118 municipal offices, 107 SPAR stores and 16 McDonald’s branches.
Result within 24 hours
The submission of the tests is possible from Monday to Saturday. You will be picked up at 10 a.m. If you submit your application by 10.00 a.m. on Saturday, the result will be available by 8.00 a.m. on Sunday. Samples thrown in on Sunday will be evaluated by Tuesday morning at the latest. The result counts as proof of the “3-G rule”, it is imported into the “Green Pass”.
The action is called “Salzburg gargles”. In other federal states, such as Vienna or Upper Austria, this free test campaign has been around for several months.