Another tool for restarting travel is expected to be the agreement reached within the EU Health and Safety Committee on Thursday on a single list of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19, a selection of rapid antigen results that will mutual recognition by Member States, as well as on a common standard data set to be included in certificates of COVID-19 test results.
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According to a statement from the Commission, “Rapid antigen testing is vital to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and should be part of our overall response to the pandemic. If any activity requires or recommends negative COVID-19 tests, it is important that they are mutually recognized and result in certificates that are recognized throughout the EU. This is necessary, especially when traveling. “Our citizens need clarity,” said Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou, commenting on the agreement.
The need for a common EU list for rapid tests was highlighted on Monday by the Undersecretary of Tourism, in a teleconference with the European Union Transport Commissioner, in which he participated together with the Minister of Transport. Savvas Perdios, according to a statement issued that day, asked the Commissioner to consider the possibility of providing facilities so that the tourism sector of Cyprus recovers as soon as possible and pointed out the fact that many countries are considering replacing the PCR test. with an antigen test, but at present, as he had mentioned, there is no list, from the EU, of reliable tests.