Lower Austria launches a new platform for self-testing

People can upload photos and receive a QR code valid for 24 hours

Lower Austria announced the implementation of a separate testing system before reducing the measures. The state has activated its own platform on which valid self-tests can be registered as of today, 19 May 2021.

Visiting restaurants or bars can be done if citizens have been tested, vaccinated or recovered from Covid. They are only allowed in without a test if received first CoV vaccination at least three weeks ago or if they had a Covid 19 infection in the past six months. Otherwise, citizens should be able to show a negative test.

A smartphone is required for users to receive a QR code

Every citizen receives ten self-tests in the pharmacy, these tests can be carried out alone. For the conclusion of the new system, a smartphone is, naturally, also required for users.

As proof that there was no cheating, users have to upload a photo of the valid self-test and one of the destroyed tests. This was announced on Tuesday at the presentation of the platform in St. Pölten. After uploading a picture with a negative result, the user will receive a QR code as proof and can be presented at the entrances. “You receive an SMS with a link and certificate within ten seconds,” said Christof Constantin Chwojka, Managing Director of Notruf Niederösterreich.

In addition to PCR tests, rapid antigen tests and “point of sale” tests, the self-tests are a way of proving a negative CoV status. The validity varies from test to test. A self-test with digital recording is valid for 24 hours, an antigen test is valid for 48 hours, and PCR tests are valid for 72 hours. "Point of sale" tests are carried out on the spot - for example when visiting a restaurant - and are only valid for this one visit.

Health Councillor Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) emphasized on Tuesday that 860,394 shots had already been administered in Lower Austria, and 262,849 people had already received the second vaccination. That is 20.9 percent of the population targeted for inoculation.

“The strategy in Lower Austria to open it up to all age groups was an important and correct step,” said the regional councillor. The next step is to see how parents are willing to vaccinate their children. "If children from the age of twelve are there, it increases the vaccination rate, with every bite the herd immunity is better," added Königsberger-Ludwig.