Because of chargeable quick tests: Authorities fear an increase in counterfeits

Corona test
Chargeable rapid tests: authorities fear forgeries

People who cannot be vaccinated, pregnant women and children between the ages of 12 and 17 can still do a rapid corona test free of charge. Anyone else who would like to be tested for the virus will now have to pay for a quick test.

In many cases, test results are issued as PDF files. However, these are not very safe from counterfeiting. The date of issue, the name and even the test result can be changed without much effort.

Several authorities are concerned about this. The Munich health department says, for example, that the paid tests could “lead to increased cases of fraud” in the future. The Bavarian Ministry of Health declares that the situation is being closely monitored and that the issue will also be addressed at the federal level if necessary.

Falsified test results: Federal Ministry of Health refers to Corona apps

The Federal Ministry of Health, which is responsible for regulating the rapid tests, merely says that increasingly rapid test results are now being issued via the Cov-Pass app and the Corona warning app. Manipulation is much more difficult here. The apps are “an effective instrument for checking the validity of digital test certificates”.

In fact, however, those tested can decide for themselves how they receive their test results. PDF files are mostly possible and wanted by the federal government. Because: If you don’t have a smartphone or don’t want to download the Corona app, you should also be able to participate in society.

Criticism of the rapid test concept

The risk that test results will be falsified is therefore an emerging issue. The Greens demand that the results are only output via the appropriate apps or a forgery-proof QR code. “A mere certificate opens the door to fraud,” said Kordula Schulz-Asche, spokeswoman for health policy for the Greens’ parliamentary group. The rapid tests, which are now subject to a charge, pose a “great danger”. At least since the decision to make the tests chargeable, there has been a need for action.

The Green health expert Janosch Dahmen warns that the change is coming too early. “Without free tests, we will get fewer test results and more infections will go undetected,” says Dahmen. “We’re running into a shadow pandemic.” Instead of eliminating free tests, they should be linked to the vaccination campaign. “Anyone who accepts vaccination advice should receive a free test in return.”

Criticism also comes from the chairman of the health committee, Erwin Rüddel (CDU). He is of the opinion that the fraud must be “put a stop to quickly”. Whoever falsifies would endanger people who are lulled into security by the certificate. Thuringia’s Minister of Health Heike Werner sees it similarly. She says: “I have zero understanding if someone forges a test certificate. It’s not just about the fact that forging documents is a criminal offense, where there can be heavy fines or even imprisonment. For me, it is much worse that you endanger people and approvingly accepts that people can become infected, become seriously ill and maybe even die. “

Cost of rapid tests unknown

It is not yet clear how much those tested will have to pay for a rapid test in the future. So far, providers have received a fee of 11.50 euros for each rapid test; for more precise PCR tests it is around 43 euros. However, these are often more expensive for self-payers. For rapid tests that were not billed as a “citizen test”, the previous costs varied between 18 and 40 euros, according to the consumer advice center.

Sources:daily News, MDR

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