Filenews 18 July 2021 - by Theano Thiopoulou
Officials of the Ministry of Health say in recent days that there is an increased interest in citizens arranging vaccination appointments, while in the first two days of operation of walk in vaccination centres (without planning obligation) an unexpectedly high turnout was recorded. It is not known whether the increase in attendance at vaccination centres, as well as the increased number of appointments arranged and pending, are due to the announcement that from 1 August rapid tests will not be offered free of charge or if they are due to the intensification of the information campaign, by the government and other bodies.
Most likely, both factors contributed to the euthanasia of a significant proportion of residents who had their vaccination raised, without being naysayers. Important - and perhaps more important - is the concern caused by the dramatic increase in cases in recent days and the warning of scientists that the vast majority of new cases are unvaccinated.
Against this background, it is only a matter of days before it becomes clear whether the decision not to offer rapid tests free of charge from 1 August will be the decisive factor that will significantly increase the rate of vaccinations or whether the significant reduction in the billing prices of tests by pharmacies and chemistry, with intervention by the government, will ultimately lead many to the decisio.
The Decision of the Ministry for a paid test excludes minors aged 12-15 years and persons aged 16 years and over, with serious health problems, which is not appropriate, with doctor's instructions, to be vaccinated.
The additional cost for diagnostic tests every 72 hours is not only for entering the workplace, but in all areas where the citizen can move for his daily needs, such as supermarkets, bakeries, kiosks or for his entertainment or holidays and staying in a hotel.
Following this development, essentially people who have not been vaccinated will have to pay every three days for the rapid test to be able to hold the coveted safepass. The Council of Ministers had decided, at the time when rapid tests were free for citizens, to set a maximum price of €20. That's for those who chose not to stand in line for a free diagnostic check-up and do the test at their neighbourhood pharmacy or a nearby chemist's.
On the basis of the information that is in the public eye, the government intends to reduce the €20 cap to €10, which will reduce the weekly and monthly costs for the examinations.
According to "F" research in pharmacies and clinical laboratories, industry professionals have begun to adjust prices downwards to gain a share of the "pie" of thousands of unvaccinated. The highest price in a pharmacy for a diagnostic test, at least until three days ago, was €15. However, in the same area, a pharmacy charged €10. From a telephone survey of about 10 pharmacies in Nicosia, we found that the price offered by most is €8, while there are also advertisements on social media from clinical laboratories for €10. However, there is room for negotiation of the price, as the tests must be done frequently or may need to be done by a second or third member of the family.
This obligation, for a worker with five days' work, requires two rapid tests per week, which entails a weekly cost of between €16 and €20 and a monthly cost of €64 to €80. If, in fact, there are two unvaccinated in the family, then the family budget will be charged in duplicate and the total costs will amount to between €128 and €160, in addition to the inconvenience and loss of time. If the nature of someone's work imposes on them activities and at the weekend, then the costs will be increased.
The problem of unforeseen costs will be not only for workers but also for young people who have not had a vaccine, for example students or young workers, and will be subject to additional costs for leaving on non-working days.
