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Citizens could be tested for novel coronavirus at entrance to Moldova


https://www.ipn.md/en/citizens-could-be-tested-for-novel-coronavirus-at-entrance-to-7967_1072677.html

The Moldovan citizens who will return home the next few days will be obliged to do the test for detecting the novel coronavirus. According to Prime Minster Ion Chicu, the measure is being analyzed and a decision will be taken the coming days, IPN reports.

“We will introduce this system based on the possibilities of national private labs. Currently, all the state laboratories are testing patients of medical institutions and cannot test those who enter the country right on the border. These will be tested at private labs. We met with representatives of laboratories and they said that this is possible,” Ion Chicu stated in the talk show “About Us” on Jurnal TV channel.

According to the official, the testing will not be financed with state budget funds and each person will have to pay the test.

“As the laboratories are private, they collect money for their services. Tests will be done at the entrance to the country, at the airport and at road border crossing points,” stated Premier Chicu.

As to the obligation to buy a health insurance policy imposed on citizens who enter the country, the official said the policy will be useful given the dangers to health faced at present.

“The citizens of the Republic of Moldova who return home should have a health insurance policy given the risk of becoming infected. Those who come home can stay here not only for two weeks, but longer.”

Asked if the purchase of health insurance will save the healthcare system that is now facing difficulties, Premier Chicu did some calculations.

“This can save the system or not, but 1,000 health policies mean 4 million lei, while 10,000 policies mean 40 million lei. For 120,000 tests, we take 40 million lei from the state budget. During the last three days, 10,000 people returned to Moldova. Our budget is not similar to that of Germany or the United States.”