The Slovak government getting ready to buy millions of antigen tests. On Thursday, the Economy Minister Richard Sulík (Freedom and Solidarity) confirmed the intention to buy 16 million antigen tests. Sulík first wants to consult the method of the purchase with the Public Procurement Office. Economy Ministry will also set up an evaluation commission that will oversee the transparency of the purchase. The previous purchase of 13 million tests was strongly criticized by the opposition, which saw the connection of one of the suppliers to coalition leaders behind it. According to Prime Minister Igor Matovič (OĽaNO), there could be another two to three rounds of mass testing in Slovakia taking place before Christmas. It is still not clear whether participation will be voluntary or mandatory. According to Health Minister Marek Krajči (OĽaNO), testing for COVID-19 with antigen tests has become one of the "gold standards" in the fight against the pandemic, prompting the European Commission to procure them centrally on behalf of individual member states. Currently, a minimum of around 560 million test kits are expected to be procured, but the whole process might take a few months.
Slovakia set to buy more antigen tests for mass testing
19. 11. 2020 14:01 | News

Zuzana Botiková, Photo: TASR