In the Grand Duchy, the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) is leading a research project which involves testing the whole population for Covid-19, as announced by the government two weeks ago. However, CSV MP Claude Wiseler declared on Tuesday that this was was not occurring in the immediate future, following a videoconference meeting of the Parliamentary Health Commission.
The objective of this meeting was to obtain details on tests carried out during the pandemic. At the end of April, government ministers announced Luxembourg's residents and cross-border workers would be tested, with a capacity of up to 20,000 tests per day. However, the reality has proved to be different, said Wiseler.
The CSV also wished to know why no appeal for tenders was made for the tests. Wiseler criticised the process in which the Ministry of Health passed it on to the Ministry of Research. Next week, the minister concerned, Claude Meisch, will be invited to join the committee for a meeting in which he will be expected to provide answers.
The government has said the appropriate orders have been placed in order to test the whole population.
Luxembourg news site Reporter published an article at the end of April claiming the government's strategy required questioning, as did the order process for the tests as they had not been made available for bids. The lack of transparency has been criticised.
In addition, the test kits delivered by one of the laboratories are said not be compatible with those received by the crisis unit from another laboratory. According to Reporter, the government should place new orders, but using another method.
