Faced with the multiplication of Covid cases of the Omicron variant, the health authorities are encouraging self-testing. Asymptomatic high-risk contacts are no longer tested with PCR tests. Consequently, these self-tests found in pharmacies or supermarkets must be paid for by households. All this equipment now weighs on the family budget.
But self-tests are not the only essentials in the fight once morest the coronavirus. Among the prevention equipment, we also find hydroalcoholic gel, FFP2 or surgical masks… In the majority of cases, households have experienced less spending over the past two years on outings or the cinema, but a large part of the budget saved is devoted to this protective equipment.
€76 on average per person
The consumer association “Test Achats” has just carried out an analysis of the average budget that a Belgian spends per month to equip himself with protective equipment. An analysis that we were able to obtain exclusively. According to statistics from Test Achats, an average family with two children easily spends more than 250 euros.
According to the price survey conducted by Test Achats last week in pharmacies, drugstores, supermarkets and other stores, the consumer association found that prices varied enormously depending on the point of sale. Test Achats has therefore established a table with an average budget as well as the minimum and maximum budget. The average budget, per person and per month is estimated at 76.1 euros! A colossal sum when you know that there are a lot of families with children in Belgium.
Assuming that a person buys 8 self-tests at 5 euros, a jar of hydroalcoholic gel at a price of 3.7 euros, seven FFP2 masks at 3 euros each and 30 surgical masks at 11.40 euros, we arrive at the budget of 76.1 euros, per person and per month.
Avoid blowing the budget!
The consumer association also gives some advice to households to avoid blowing their budget. “In addition to comparing prices, they can opt for a surgical or comfort mask instead of an FFP2 mask, from time to time if the health situation allows it. They are cheaper and often sufficient in many cases. It should also be noted that self-tests are often cheaper in supermarkets or drugstores. »
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