COVID-19: Continuation of Antigen Testing by Authorities and clarification on Control Procedures

Additional clarification has been provided as part of the process for antigen testing of employees. As per Ministry of Health:

  • Private organizations / companies and Services / Departments of the public and wider public sector must appoint a responsible person, who has the obligation to prepare and communicate to staff the weekly plan with the employees that must be subjected to rapid test, according to the following:
    • Services / Organizations / Companies that employ up to 3 people, the testing should be done to all employees,
    • Services / Organizations / Companies employing from 4 to 10 people, the testing should be done on at least 4 employees,
    • Services / Organizations / Companies that employ more than 10 people, the testing should be done on at least 4 people or 20% of employees, whichever is greater in number.
  • The employee must inform in time the person responsible for the completion of the diagnostic test within the specified date as well as for the result, without being obliged to present proof of his result. However, the employee must have proof of the result at any time during the applicable period for control purposes by the competent authorities.
  • During the inspection by an authorized inspector, the responsible person of the company / organization / Department must present the weekly list of employees who had to have a valid diagnostic test during the inspection week. The authorized inspector may, on a sample basis, contact the employee directly for the verification of possession of evidence of a diagnostic test.
  • During the inspection, an administrative fine may be imposed on the Service / organization / company, if it is proved that the numerical provisions were not observed during the design of the weekly list.
  • In the event that an employee has declared his/her compliance to the Manager and is registered in the weekly list, but it is proved during the inspection that he/she has not done so, then the responsibility lies with the employee and the administrative fine is imposed on him/her.

It is reminded that the result of the diagnostic test is valid for seven days, unless in the meantime the person develops symptoms or is identified as a close contact in which case the protocol specified by the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit should be followed.

The original press release can be found here.