Covid test price rises

THE Council of Ministers has increased the maximum prices of PCR and antigen tests. According to the decision published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday, the maximum fees that can be charged have risen to 150TL for a PCR and 60TL for an antigen test. Previously the most that people could be charged was 100TL and 40TL respectively according to the fees set in September 2021.

The announcement said that Health Ministry tests for those who have Covid-19 symptoms and for the monitoring of those who have tested positive will continue to be free, as will antigen tests for people receiving social support and/or “poverty” payments.

However it appears that the policy of offering free antigen tests for under-18s has been scrapped, with no mention of its continuation in the latest decision.

Unlike the previous academic year, there is currently no requirement for schoolchildren and/or their parents to be regularly tested for Covid-19.