Covid prevention point on Vabaduse Square to offer free rapid testing from December 26

From Sunday 26 December, free rapid antigen testing is provided at the vaccination, counselling and testing centre in Tallinn's Vabaduse Square. The service is intended as an additional preventive measure to reduce the risks of infection before meeting elderly people or people at high risk.

"We offer free testing with professional rapid antigen tests used in healthcare facilities, which are performed by a healthcare professional at the testing point. In the case of a positive test result, the person will be immediately referred for a PCR test at the same testing point." said Deputy Mayor Betina Beškina. 

No certificate or written record of the rapid test will be issued and the result of the test will not be reflected in the digital record.

"We recommend rapid testing before meeting elderly people or people at high health risk, for whom the coronavirus can lead to serious illness or may be life-threatening. Testing can help mitigate the risk of infection, but might not prevent infection. Therefore, even after a negative rapid test result, it is important to follow safety measures such as keeping a physical distance, wearing a mask indoors and following hygiene rules," added Deputy Mayor.

Rapid antigen testing at the testing point in Vabaduse Square is free of charge. The service is paid for by the City of Tallinn to medical service provider Eldred.

"Initially, this is a pilot project to reduce the risk of spreading the virus by meeting relatives during the holidays. We will see how many people need the free rapid testing service in the first place and then decide whether to continue it," said Ms Beškina.

The rapid antigen test will be available at the testing point in Vabaduse Square from 26 to 31 December. Testing is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm, and until 7 pm on 31 December.

Rapid testing as one of the preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus is also recommended in the SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy recently prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

In addition, both booster and first and second doses of the vaccine will be available at eight Covid prevention centres in Tallinn until the end of the year without pre-registration. The prevention point on Vabaduse Square will also be open on Boxing Day, 26 December, from 9 am to 9 pm. On New Year's Eve, all booths will be open until 7 pm and on 1 January, all points will be closed.

The counselling and vaccination points at Haabersti Rimi (Haabersti 1), Linnamäe Maxima car park (Linnamäe tee 57), Kristiine Centre (Endla 45), Ülemiste Centre (Suur-Sõjamäe 4), Lindakivi Cultural Centre (Jaan Koorti 22), Põhja-Tallinn Community Centre (Kari 13) and the Baltic Station will be open until New Year's Eve from 12 noon to 7 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 5 pm on weekends. They will be closed on Christmas Day, 24-26 December, and New Year's Day, 1 January.