“Note that the self-tests… their reliability is very low”, said Miguel Guimarães, in a conversation with Lusa, recalling that “there are already several studies on this”.

The Order cannot, therefore, recommend self-tests. “Rapid antigen tests, yes [self-tests are also rapid antigen tests], but they are done by those who know how to do it, which is for them to be reliable, because otherwise we are pretending that we are doing tests and the tests are useless and they are wasting money”, he stressed.

The president stressed the importance of the tests being carried out by qualified professionals.

He added that “it is critical that rapid antigen tests be done within the last 24 hours” – that is, just one day before the event to which they relate. This is because Omicron is "a much more infectious variant", justified the doctor.

He highlighted the need to reinforce the availability of tests. “There was, and is, some lack of testing in Portugal,” he admitted. “It's been difficult to do tests because the tests weren't ordered in time,” he pointed out.

“We're going to have to increase availability. This availability can be increased for several locations, and can even be increased, eventually, for other types of centres, which can also carry out tests, in addition to pharmacies", admits the Chairman, even considering that pharmacies are the "main weapon ” for the tests, because “they exist all over the place” and “they are close to the people”.