Testing

When should I get tested?

If you develop symptoms of a cold, you find our recommendations and guidelines under "“Protect ourself and others” on this page. You can also get tested at your own expense.

If you are a person at risk and develop symptoms typical of Covid-19, you should contact  your healthcare provider. If indicated, a test can be performed and early treatment for Covid-19 can be initiated.

For more information please visit the website of the Federal Office of Public Health.

Test costs

As of 1st January, 2023, the cost of Covid-19 testing will no longer be covered by the federal government. The person tested must therefore pay the cost for a Covid-19 test.

If a medical doctor performs a test in order to determine further medical action, costs are covered by the compulsory health insurance. Any such payment will, however, be subject to your health insurance’s deductible and copayment provisions,information can be found on the website of the FOPH.

The costs for self-tests as well as PCR tests at the patient's own request (for example for travelling) are not covered by the insurance.

Where can I get tested?

You can still get tested at your own expense. Many medical practices and various institutions continue to perform Covid-19 testing. A list of test centers offering tests for Covid-19 can be found here. Please contact the provider in advance online or by phone whether tests are still offered.

Please note that the Test and Triage Center (TTC) of the University Hospital Basel has been closed.

Protect ourself and others

The Covid-19 measures have been lifted for some time. However, we can still help protect others and ourselves through our behavior. In doing so, the recommendations listed below not only protect against the covid-19 virus, but also help protect against influenza and other respiratory pathogens.

Individuals with a corona infection should stay at home if possible and avoid contact with others, especially those at risk for severe disease progression of COVID-19. We recommend avoiding these contacts even if symptoms of a cold are present. If it is not possible, wear a mask and keep your distance.

In case of Covid-like symptoms, we recommend discussing with your employer your work assignment, the necessary protective measures and the necessity of a medical certificate. This is applies especially when working in medical facilities or other vulnerable settings.

Basic principles that reduce the risk of transmission:

• Wear a facemask
• Keep your distance
• Ventilate several times a day
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm
• Wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly
• Get vaccinated

Serial testing in schools and companies (mass testing)

The Canton of Basel-Stadt does no longer conduct serial testing.

As announced in the media release of 18th January, 2023, the serial testing offer in the Canton of Basel-Stadt has been discontinued as of the end of March 2023 due to the epidemiological situation.

Testing for students at school was still possible until Friday, 17th February, 2023, the last school day before the carnival vacations. Employees at workplaces still had the opportunity to submit a PCR test until Friday 31th March, 2023. Since then, testing is no longer available and tests requests will no longer be accepted.

Why was mass testing conducted?

As COVID-19 can be transmitted by people without symptoms of the disease, identifying infected individuals was critical to fight the pandemic. According to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), more than half of COVID-19 transmissions were caused by people not knowing they are carrying the virus. Weekly testing in companies as well as schools has increased the likelihood of identifying these individuals and breaking the transmission chains. The participation of schools and companies in the mass testing program was an important contribution to the gradual opening of social and economic life. Furthermore, the tests increased the protection of people at especially high risk.