Minister of Sport Dan Kersch announced the government's decision in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday.
Kersch confirmed that rapid tests prior to a game will remain compulsory in the country's top divisions (Football, basketball, volleyball, and handball) even after 21 February. However, the Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that the problems that have recently come up, mainly around football games, have been solved.
In general, Kersch explained, no one was questioning rapid tests per se, the only issue was to communicate the strategy properly.
Kersch replied to a number of questions by MPs Georges Mischo from the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), Claude Lamberty from the Democratic Party (DP), and Mars di Bartolomeo from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP). He also shared further details on the pilot project that his Ministry has been preparing since 21 November. According to Kersch, the collected data will be shared with the National Health Directorate, which will then carry out a scientific analysis. The rapid tests alone cost the state between €500,000 to €600,000. The Ministry of Sport also financially supports those sports clubs that do not have the means to carry out the tests themselves and cannot afford to pay for professional services.
