As of tomorrow
Free corona rapid tests will be reintroduced
Corona rapid tests are no longer free of charge since October 11, 2021. That should change again from tomorrow. (Symbol image)
© Julian Stratenschulte / Picture Alliance
Corona tests have not been free of charge in Germany since October. Health Minister Jens Spahn is now planning to change that again – starting tomorrow.
From Saturday, November 13th, 2021, corona tests should be available again free of charge in Germany. This is set out in an ordinance issued by the acting Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU), which was announced on Friday. The federal government is re-introducing the “Citizens’ Test”, which was severely restricted around a month ago, on a broad front. This means that everyone is entitled to a rapid test by trained staff at least once a week – regardless of their vaccination or convalescence status. Certificates can also serve as evidence for access rules.
According to a decision by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the Prime Minister, the offer of the “Citizens’ Test” funded by the federal government since March had largely expired on October 11th. At that time, the reason was that taxpayers would end up assuming the costs permanently because of the availability of vaccinations. In view of the steep rise in the number of infections, existing test centers can now continue their work. The states can also commission other test centers, as the ministry said.
Vaccinated people could also “pose a threat”
This is to prevent people from missing out on testing for financial reasons. This is particularly relevant against the background that vaccinated people could also become infected with the coronavirus and thus represent a risk, especially for vulnerable groups of people.
Hospitals need to collect more data
In addition, the ordinance provides for hospitals to be obliged in future to report their capacity of intensive care beds and the number of their corona patients, differentiated according to adults and children, on a daily basis. In addition, the hospitals should have to indicate the vaccination status of their patients and the number of pregnant women in intensive care treatment.