This measure is justified, in the decree signed by the Assistant Secretary of State and Health, António Lacerda Sales, due to the very high incidence of Covid-19 cases.

The ordinance underlines the importance of carrying out diagnostic tests to screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection, both for referral of symptomatic people and for early detection of confirmed cases.

The document underlines: “it is important to guarantee access to and performance of Rapid Antigen Tests (TRAg) for professional use, prescribed by the National Health Service (SNS) and financed through a special regime of maximum prices for reimbursement purposes”.

"The Covid-19 pandemic maintains a very high incidence in the country, with an increasing trend, which may contribute to the increase in the circulation of variants with greater transmission potential; it is estimated that the BA.5 lineage of the Omicron variant is already dominant in Portugal", says the ordinance, signed by Assistant Secretary of State and Health, António Lacerda Sales.