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Vice Chancellor Scholz: Force tests out of self-interest
Photo: HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / REUTERS
The federal government is threatening companies with a tougher pace in corona tests.
Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned employers in Germany to regularly test their employees for the corona virus.
The SPD candidate for Chancellor said in the ZDF “Morgenmagazin” newspaper that it was necessary for the companies that had "many, many tests" available due to the orders in the past to use them.
He assumes that the economy will adhere to it "also out of self-interest".
Should this not happen, however, Scholz announced that at the beginning of April employers would be obliged to carry out tests for employees by ordinance.
This is also provided for in the latest federal-state resolution.
Most large companies already offer employees rapid tests - but mostly on a voluntary basis.
Experts also warn that rapid tests cannot replace distance rules and mouth-nose protection.
In contrast to Vice Chancellor Scholz, the ZDH trade association still sees too few tests available.
According to the association, around half of the companies are already offering their employees corona tests or are at least planning to do so in the near future.
"With the others, it often fails not because of will, but because of the lack of test kits," the association said.
ZDH President Hans Peter Wollseifer warned of a wave of bankruptcies in view of the renewed lockdown.
“This may prevent the health system from collapsing.
A widespread farm collapse is becoming more and more likely, ”said Wollseifer.
"Given that there is still a lack of planning horizon, as well as faltering or inadequate bridging aid, many companies will not be able to survive."
Wollseifer criticized the government's vaccination management.
“Vaccination is the central instrument with which we can get out of this pandemic.
There is still a lot of trouble here with fatal consequences, ”he said.
With quick vaccination and testing, you can open more regardless of the number of cases.
In view of the rapidly increasing number of new infections, the federal and state governments have decided to largely shut down public, private and economic life over Easter.
The lockdown, which has been in place for more than three months, will be extended by three weeks until April 18.
mmq / Reuters