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SVP now backs free testing

Thursday, 16 September 2021 04:00

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In what appears to be a U-turn, the Swiss People’s Party is now backing the continuation of free Covid tests.

It was only last month when the two party members on the Federal Council, Guy Parmelin and Ueli Maurer, wanted to end free testing for the unvaccinated. 

But now the right-wing party has changed its position and is backing free testing. The party says if testing needed to be paid for, it would be a burden on the young and those with less financial means. 

The change in position may have something to do with a petition aiming to keep the tests free has now hit 235,000 signatures. 

The tests are costing the Confederation millions. 

But it now seems likely they will stay free as the left-wing parties have long supported free tests. 

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