As the emergency Covid-19 facilities created during the pandemic are gradually being dismantled and incorporated into the regular healthcare system, test centres across the Brussels-Capital Region will stop administering PCR tests from next month.
From Monday 31 October, the Molenbeek and Pacheco test centres will no longer carry out paid PCR tests. A month later (from Wednesday 30 November), these centres will no longer carry out any PCR tests at all.
"This decision follows the revision of the new strategy decided by the Interministerial Conference (IMC) on Public Health earlier this month, which favours self-testing and rapid antigen testing," the Brussels health authorities stated in a press release on Friday.
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People with Covid-19 symptoms that persist for more than five days (and/or worsen) are still advised to consult their GP, who will decide on a case-by-case basis whether they should be re-tested and if so, with what type of test.
Many GPs and more than 360 pharmacies still administer rapid antigen tests, and self-tests also continue to be available in Brussels pharmacies and some shops. Those entitled to an increased allowance will still be able to get two self-test for €1 per week.
