Coronavirus: European Union moves to bloc-wide recognition of antigen tests
- Antigen testing can be done from saliva with a result given within 30 minutes, while PCR tests involve a nasal swab and lab analysis
- Large-scale antigen tests could be used to screen travellers coming back from countries outside the European Union
European Union envoys on Thursday struck a preliminary agreement on having antigen tests for Covid-19 carried out in any member country recognised by all 27 countries in the bloc, diplomats said.
The move, to be followed with a written procedure and discussed at an EU leaders’ summit on Thursday, aims to make Covid-19 testing more widespread and faster.
Unlike PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests that involve getting a swab from the nasal cavity behind the nose that is analysed in a lab, antigen testing can be done from saliva with a result given on the spot within 30 minutes.
That makes it easier and faster to test large numbers of people, though antigen tests are less reliable in detecting Covid-19 in people who are not showing symptoms.
The European Commission says it could use antigen tests in specific situations to rapidly detect outbreaks or monitor “high-risk” individuals such as frontline workers in the health sector.