The Austrian government wants to offer free rapid corona tests in selected pharmacies in the future. The President of the Chamber of Pharmacists, Ulrike Mursch-Edlmayr, said that this will not be the case at all locations. With the help of pharmacies, the government primarily wants to cover regions in which there are no test stations in the federal states.

A list of pharmacies in which free rapid tests will be possible will be published by the professional representatives on the homepage on Monday. From this day on, it should be possible to use the offers of the pharmacies that are then listed. According to Mursch-Edlmayr, around 20 percent of pharmacists currently offer rapid tests that have to be paid for. It assumes that the tests, which are then largely free of charge, will be available nationwide by the end of February 2021. A list of pharmacies currently authorized to perform antigen tests is available in the form of an interactive map below this link.

The government wants to lure companies into the rapid test business with 10 euros

Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck (ÖVP) and Health Minister Rudolf Anschober also announced on Friday that companies should be motivated by means of a bonus to offer rapid antigen tests to the population. The state wants to pay ten euros for each test carried out.

The government is apparently betting that large companies in particular, which may already be offering tests for their own employees, will also open them up to the general public. They also want to motivate smaller companies to get into the rapid test business. However, appropriately trained medical staff is required in any case. The results should be reported to companies that have a company doctor. Smaller companies should be able to do this through the respective community doctor or a pharmacy.