The regulation not only applies to patients and visitors, but also to staff and doctors. However, not everyone appears to be happy with the situation.
According to Dr Gregor Baertz, the Medical Director of Hôpitaux Robert Schuman (HRS), there has been a notable increase in “discussions” at the entrance of the hospital as of recent.
Nevertheless, Dr Baertz adds, it is definitely “just a minority of people” who are not willing to accept the regulation. The vast majority expressed understanding, and regardless of whether or not people accept the situation, the hospital is still legally obligated to adhere to mandatory testing.
In order to make it as easy as possible for everyone, HRS has installed a tent in front of the main entrance. Up to 25 people can simultaneously take a free antigen rapid test.
After a few minutes, they receive the result and – provided the test is negative – can then proceed to enter the building. Children under the age of six are exempt from the test obligation.
Still, the tests are necessary, Dr Baertz stresses, seeing as around 1,800 people enter HRS through the main entrance alone.
The goal is not just for people to protect themselves, but also to ensure the safety of vulnerable patients, the hospital’s staff as well as those who either do not want to or are unable to get vaccinated.
Staff members and doctors who do not fulfil any of the CovidCheck criteria also have to be tested three times a week before they can continue their work. Even the hospital’s in-house patients are tested once per week.
So far, 80% of HRS staff have been vaccinated. This figure includes both doctors and nurses. Dr Baertz stresses that thanks to the government’s recent campaign, which allowed staff members to get vaccinated on site, the hospital was able to convince another 50 people to get vaccinated.
Despite the CovidCheck, protective measures must still be respected inside the hospital. The reason for this is that while vaccinated people have a better protection against severe forms of Covid-19, they can still spread the disease if they are infected. However, it goes without saying that if someone is brought into intensive care in an emergency situation, they do not have to take a test first.
