COVID-19 Measures Extended until October, Free PCR Tests to End on 15 September

At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and the Minister of Health Paulette Lenert confirmed that current COVID-19 measures would remain in place until 18 October 2021.

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel noted that hospitalisations remained stable in Luxembourg, despite a slight increase in case numbers over the last week. He attributed the stable situation in hospitals as well as the low number of COVID-19 deaths to widespread vaccination: 74% of Luxembourg's population has been vaccinated against the virus.

The Prime Minister added that case numbers were expected to rise further after the summer holidays and the return to school. Health Minister Paulette Lenert later added that a fourth wave was expected in autumn.

Regarding testing, PCR tests will no longer be available free of charge for people going abroad or wishing to avail of the CovidCheck system from 15 September 2021. The government is currently looking at alternatives for children under 12, who are not yet eligible to get the vaccine.

Minister Paulette Lenert confirmed that around one-fifth of people diagnosed with coronavirus recently were vaccinated. However, this was not the case for the eight patients currently in intensive care.

According to the ministers, around 7,000 events took place over the summer under the CovidCheck system. The Health Minister deemed it a predominantly positive experience - one which will be continued in future. The system will also be adapted for hospital and care home visits.