Goodbye, free citizen tests: October 11 marks a turning point in the German fight against the corona pandemic. As of that Monday, the quick tests by trained staff are no longer free.
After seven months – on March 8, 2021, the tests at federal costs were introduced – the federal government is withdrawing from this business. “Abolishing free citizen tests requires fairness in front of the taxpayer,” says Health Minister Jens Spahn for several weeks, referring to the free vaccination offer that continues to apply.
However, the state does not completely shirk its responsibility for the test strategy. There are exceptions for those who cannot be vaccinated and for young people.
Specifically, these transitional rules, which will initially apply until the end of the year, are aimed at pregnant women, minors and people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
According to the current corona test regulation, have Children under 12 years Entitlement to free tests, as the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) does not have a general vaccination recommendation for them.
This is true at Children and adolescents from 12 to 18 years just like Pregnant women the case, but exceptions apply to them too – until December 31st. “In order to give these people sufficient time to find out about the existing vaccination offers and to obtain complete vaccination protection, they are still entitled to free testing until the end of the year,” says the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG).
In addition, there are still free tests for the difficult-to-quantify minority of those who have not been vaccinated because of medical necessity. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), this includes two groups: People with certain allergies and People with an immunodeficiency.
who Contact person for an infected person who wants to free himself from quarantine is also entitled to a free test.
As the last exception groups, the BMG names “Students from abroadwho are staying in Germany to study and have been vaccinated with vaccines not recognized in Germany ”and Subjects, “Participating in clinical studies on the effectiveness of vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus”.
For all those target groups there is an obligation to provide proof, which basically includes an official ID. In addition, persons who have not been vaccinated medically involuntarily must have a medical certificate. In the case of pregnant women, the maternity card is used as proof.
Free tests are still possible
But there are also free test options for those who are not targeted by the exception rules. According to the current Corona Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, employers must continue to have their employees at the regular workplace in the company Offer tests at least twice a week – initially until November 24th.
Also in Nursing homes, Hospitals and schools Staff and residents can continue to use tests free of charge.
Needless to say, people need to do this because of their symptoms suspected of being infected are still not rewarding for the tests. The prerequisite for this is a medical or official order for a rapid antigen test or a PCR test.
This applies in particular to reports from the Corona warning app. If this shows a red alarm, so one Risk contact the addressees must contact a general practitioner practice or the health department immediately. A free PCR test is then usually arranged.
Market regulates new price range
Those who do not belong to the exceptional groups and cannot take advantage of any of the few options that are still free of charge now have to pay for tests in accordance with the new federal ordinance, which is based on the federal-state resolution of August.
There is no single price, but there will probably be no offers for less than 12 euros – so far, the federal government had reimbursed 11.50 euros for each rapid test carried out and 43.56 euros for PCR tests.
It is quite possible that the market will now develop an unleashed dynamic in this area as well. The RBB reports, citing information from companies from Berlin and Brandenburg, that larger test providers will calculate prices of around 12 to 25 euros per rapid test and around 60 to 120 euros per PCR test in the future.
I am a technology author with 8 years of experience in journalism. My writing covers the latest technology advancements and trends, drawing on my expertise in news journalism and social media platforms. I have contributed to major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Reuters.
