The nationwide mass testing for the new coronavirus with antigen tests that started this week in Slovakia is an incompetent decision that will yield no relevant positive effect, stated Slovak Chamber of Commerce (SOPK) vice-president Vladimir Slezak. According to him, the statewide testing is a waste of material and human resources and only exposes people to needless risk of contracting the disease at testing sites. He urged the Government to abide by expert counsel and utilise existing empirical findings in order to minimise the outbreak risks, and to lend support to the state economy to the highest possible extent.
Club 500, which represents large employers in Slovakia, has also criticized the measure. Its members will create conditions to allow the mass testing of employees and their families, but are dismayed to learn that as of January 27th they are supposed to allow workplace access only to employees with a negative test certificate. The organisation perceives such a measure as a violation of personal freedom that flies in the face not only of the Slovak Constitution but also of the EU directive on the protection of personal data.
