The Swiss government plans to end free Covid tests for everyone after October 10, extending a previous deadline by ten days. After October 10, it only plans to finance free testing until the end of November for people who have received a first dose of vaccine and have not yet received their Covid certificate. This is according to a proposal approved by the cabinet that has now been sent to the cantons for consultation. The government is to make a final decision in one week’s time on this controversial issue. According to an earlier government announcement, free testing for everyone was to end on October 1, but this has been extended amid protest over the decision. A cabinet statement on Friday said “it is not up to the public as a whole to finance the cost of tests for people who decide not to get vaccinated”. The extensions for free testing are likely to cost CHF280 million. "Pragmatic" decision If the federal government were to assume the costs indefinitely, this would...
