As of Wednesday, rapid antigen tests can be sold by all shops that hold a licence to distribute pharmaceuticals, including retail chains, drugstores and petrol stations.
Entrants from Hungary are no longer required to stay in isolation in Romania or present negative COVID tests when travelling there.
The prime minister has emphasized the importance of keeping schools and kindergartens open.
The current PCR testing method can be uncomfortable and deter people from getting tested all together. The test involves collecting nasal and throat swabs by medically trained personnel.
Tests performed in hospital or ordered by an authority as part of a protocol will also be free. The 580,000 tests so far performed in Hungary had “mostly” been free.
Citing epidemiologists, the prime minister said the second wave of the epidemic was expected to peak around December or January, adding that Hungary would have to keep up protection efforts until then.
Cecília Müller said now that the second wave of the virus has arrived, the focus should be on protecting the elderly and the chronically ill.
The new COVID-19 test requires a blood test and the result will be available within a few hours.