Gargle test machines at nine gas stations in Lower Austria

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Refueling and testing is now possible almost simultaneously in Lower Austria: With vending machines at initially nine gas stations, the start of “Niederösterreich gurgelt” took place on Monday. The offer is free for the time being.

The procedure of the PCR gargle test, which can be performed at the gas station, is simple and takes just two minutes. After successful registration on the cell phone, the test is taken from the machine, gargled according to the instructions. The gargle sample is then dropped into a drop-off box.

The low-threshold PCR test service is provided by the state in cooperation with OMV and the Novogenia laboratory. The machines have been available since Monday at nine OMV service stations in Lower Austria. At the start, St. Pölten, Melk, Amstetten, Wiener Neustadt, Baden, Gföhl (district of Krems), Horn/Frauenhofen, Mistelbach/Hobersdorf and Klosterneuburg (district of Tulln) were among them.

Result is valid for 72 hours
From September 17, 14 more service stations will follow: Wiener Neudorf (Mödling district), Alland (Baden district), Gänserndorf, Stockerau (Korneuburg district), Tulln/Langenrohr, Großweikersdorf (Tulln district), Neulengbach and Herzogenburg (St. Pölten district), Krems, Schrems (Gmünd district), Ybbs (Melk district), Purgstall (Scheibbs district), Traisen (Lilienfeld district) and Waidhofen an der Ybbs.

“We can only get the pandemic under control through vaccination,” emphasized Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP) once again on Monday. “Everyone has the opportunity to go vaccinate and get tested. Therefore, as of today, we additionally offer PCR gargle tests.”

Since December, there are numerous test roads in Lower Austria in communities with many volunteers, now it was decided to expand the offer, said Health Regional Councillor Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ). The new offer at the gas stations is always accessible and binds no staff, “because you do the test yourself and can also throw it into the container yourself.” However, Königsberger-Ludwig reminded that the PCR test “is a snapshot. The best protection is offered by vaccination.”