At a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Luxembourg's Minister of Health Paulette Lenert and Deputy Prime Minister Dan Kersch provided an update on the national COVID-19 situation and related measures.
Deputy Prime Minister Dan Kersch confirmed that there would be some limited changes to COVID-19 legislation. Firstly, households will be allowed to invite more than ten people to their homes, provided they use the CovidCheck system or rapid tests. Secondly, uncertified rapid antigen tests (self-tests) will not be valid for group gatherings after midnight.
In addition, sports competitions will only be allowed to go ahead in accordance with CovidCheck or through the use of rapid tests. Chidlren's activities will be able to take place outdoors without masks.
These changes will remain in place until 14 September 2021, i.e. when schools reopen. Family leave has also been extended until this date.
Health Minister Paulette Lenert next provided an update on infection numbers, which are on the rise, in Luxembourg. The average age of people being diagnosed with COVID-19 now stands at 26. The minister explained that the virus is spreading mainly through gatherings and nightlife.
On the other hand, very few infections have been observed in nursing homes. Hospitalisations also remain low, with one individual currently in intensive care.
Regarding the vaccination campaign, the Luxembourg government coucil has now approved a mix-and-match approach to COVID-19 vaccines, following the recommendations of Luxembourg's Superior Council of Infectious Diseases (Conseil supérieur des maladies infectieuses - CSMI). From tomorrow, Friday 9 July 2021, people under the age of 55 who are not considered vulnerable and who have already received a first dose of the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) vaccine will be able to receive a second dose of an mRNA vaccine (i.e. BioNTech / Pfizer or Moderna). Also in accordance with the CSMI recommendations, a third vaccine dose will be possible for immunocompromised people, particularly transplant patients, for added protection.
Luxembourg currently ranks 5th in Europe in terms of the number of fully vaccinated residents.
The Health Minister also explained that general practitioners (GPs) will be able to administer vaccinations from their practices from August onwards. So far, around 180 GPs have volunteered to do so.
However, Minister Paulette Lenert recalled that vaccination does not provide 100% protection against the virus. She noted that over 1,900 people tested positive after their first dose, whilst 433 contracted the virus after their second dose. She stressed that the pandemic is still here.
