USA: Biden wants to provide one billion corona home tests

USA
Biden wants to provide a billion corona home tests

In addition to the rapid tests, he wants to make high-quality masks available to US citizens free of charge: Joe Biden. Photo: Andrew Harnik / AP / dpa

© dpa-infocom GmbH

US President Joe Biden has already promised 500 million tests. Now another 500 million are to be added. These are to be distributed to citizens free of charge.

The US government wants to provide a total of one billion corona self-tests for citizens.

President Joe Biden announced in Washington that in addition to the 500 million tests already promised, the government would buy another 500 million tests to be distributed free of charge. From next week, a website should be available where the tests can be ordered for home delivery. The United States has a population of around 330 million.

There had been long lines in front of test centers across the country prior to the December holidays. Some of the tests were sold out or very expensive. Biden therefore admitted errors in the procurement of corona tests shortly before Christmas.

The president said the government is continuing to work with retailers to increase the availability of tests in stores. There are also 20,000 test sites across the country where people can get tested for free, he said.

Biden also announced that the government would make high quality masks available to citizens free of charge. Details would be announced in the coming week. Not everyone can afford high-quality masks, Biden pointed out. He also knows that it is not very convenient to wear a mask all the time. But this is part of “patriotic duty” in times of pandemics. The President once again called on people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus and a booster vaccination.

In the US, almost 63 percent of the total population is currently fully vaccinated against the virus. 37 percent of the people in the country have had a booster vaccination.

dpa

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