US White House ordered journalists to pay for coronavirus tests
In the United States, journalists who work in the White House and at events with the participation of top officials of the state will be obliged to pay for coronavirus tests. The decision comes into force on March 3. The cost of tests is about $ 170, TASS reports.
As explained in the US administration, such unpopular measures are caused by a shortage of personnel conducting testing and budgetary constraints. At the same time, the White House Correspondents Association said that the innovation “could harm the public's right to information.” After that, the administration relaxed the requirements: journalists covering the activities of the country's president, first lady and vice president will not have to pay for the test. Also, the changes will not apply to media personnel who are assigned seats in the briefing room at the White House on a specific day.
