From rapid to self tests – The background of the decision of K. Mitsotakis

By Dimitris Gatsios

Despite the fact that until early Tuesday morning the prevailing scenario wanted the government to be led to the decision to have a mandatory entry to all indoor entertainment venues with a negative rapid test, the reversal came with suggestion by Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the cabinet. The Maximos Palace, therefore, despite the suggestions that, as he mentioned, the prime minister accepted, places in the quiver of the code “health-safe holidays” the provision of two more free self tests to all citizens. With this intervention, which will be accompanied in the next two weeks by continuous and, at the same time, strict controls for the observance of the measures against the pandemic, the government hopes that it will pave the way for the faster arrival of the new “Omicron” executive of Covid- 19. As the country enters a time phase of increasing cohesion and socializing, attention is focused on the developments of the mutation, without anyone being able to rule out the possibility of taking further measures over the holidays. The data will still be in the… microscope and the only element that seems to remain fixed on the horizon is “no” to a new lockdown.

The reasons that led Kyriakos Mitsotakis to reject the scenario for negative rapid tests in the entertainment venues were explained by him. “I considered such a measure to be unfair to those who have been vaccinated and would ultimately be very difficult to implement,” he said. Apart from that, however, one element that may have played a role in the final choice of self tests is the heavy costs that would be borne by the vaccinated, in order to enter into focus and fun on New Year’s Eve. Based on the average price of ten euros for a rapid test, a family of four would have to spend an additional 40 euros in order to celebrate indoors. To this point should be added the possibility that there would be reactions from the catering and entertainment businessmen, who might see cancellations in the New Year’s Eve bookings. The big bet, however, is related to the number of citizens who will rush to get these two free self tests, with the recommendation to be the first to be used during the holidays and the second immediately after the New Year. According to information, just over three million of our fellow citizens have so far obtained the free self test promoted by the government as a protection measure, to a total of almost ten million beneficiaries.

Apart from this context and with a view to the weeks after the Christmas and New Year period, all possibilities regarding the adoption of a new wave of interventions are open. And they will be judged by the “footprint” of the new mutation of the pandemic virus in the community. “Depending on the evolution of the pandemic, we have a wide range of options, such as expanding teleworking, adjusting catering and entertainment hours. No, but suspending the operation of schools. “At that time. No decision has been made yet”, pointed out Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in the cabinet.

Before we get to the prime minister’s announcements to the cabinet about the free distribution of two self tests, there were two milestones. On Sunday and before his departure for Bulgaria, Kyriakos Mitsotakis convened a meeting at the Maximos Palace, in the presence of Messrs. Plevris and Tsiodra. In this meeting, in addition to the developments on the “Omicron” front, the opinion of experts on possible protection measures was conveyed by the new executive. According to information, the Prime Minister listened to the proposals, accepted suggestions for a mandatory rapid test in closed restaurants and entertainment venues, weighed the pros and cons and after returning from his visit to Bulgaria came to the decisions he announced today. According to government officials, what counted most in the Prime Minister’s decision was that the measure of rapid test would be unfair to our fellow citizens who have been vaccinated. At the same time, our country has followed a different strategy in dealing with the pandemic, compared to other European countries that had a more relaxed approach and are now rushing to adopt stricter restrictions. The goal for the coming weeks is twofold: On the one hand, to put embankments in the spread of “Omicron”. On the other hand, to strengthen the vaccination coverage in first and booster doses.