Bavaria's students are to be tested twice a week when school starts again on Monday.
But there are still major challenges to be faced in order for this to work.
Bavaria's pharmacies are gearing up for a strong onslaught.
Munich - Regular compulsory tests apply from Monday to all students and teachers in Bavaria.
A negative test result must be presented twice a week so that the children can take part in classroom lessons - from the first grade and regardless of the incidence value.
Corona tests for schoolchildren in Bavaria: "The pharmacies are generally ready for testing"
This not only poses major challenges for schools, pharmacies are also likely to face a lot.
At least on those who offer rapid tests.
It is generally intended that the self-tests * should take place in schools, but there are parents who oppose this.
They fear their child could be bullied if the test is positive.
As an alternative to the test in the classroom, Minister of Education Michael Piazolo (FW) has pointed out the possibility of taking rapid tests in test centers or pharmacies and sending children to school with a negative result.
Self-tests at home are not allowed.
“The pharmacies are generally ready for testing,” explains Dr.
Hans-Peter Hubmann, Chairman of the Bavarian Pharmacists' Association.
Over 900 of the 3000 pharmacies in Bavaria have already taken part.
"But from Monday we not only have students who want to be tested twice a week, but also everyone who wants to go shopping." Test.
“The demand will therefore increase significantly, because in Bavaria we are over 100 in many districts.” The pharmacies would do their best to expand their capacities, but they would reach their personal and organizational limits.
Basically, he thinks it makes sense for the tests to be done on the spot - in schools or workplaces.
Test centers and pharmacies should take care of those “who want to visit grandma, go to a nursing home or go shopping”.
It should not be the case “that in general all students run to the pharmacy now”.
As long as it concerns individual cases, “we will be able to handle it.
But if the pharmacy becomes the norm instead of schools, then things get tricky. "
By the way: The most important stories from the Free State are now also available in our brand new, regular Bayern newsletter.
Corona tests for schoolchildren in Bavaria - doubts at pharmacies
Dr.
Stefan Hartmann from the St. Vitus pharmacy in Gilching (Starnberg district) has doubts.
If, from next week onwards, large numbers of students come to the pharmacies for the tests, then they are "not remotely prepared".
But one shouldn't blame the pharmacies for that.
The structures for this do not exist.
Hartmann is currently working full of energy on structures.
He has long been testing in his four pharmacies.
Two positive cases were discovered yesterday alone.
Hartmann has founded his own company that only deals with the design and operation of test and vaccination centers.
In Gilching he is looking for new rooms in which he wants to set up up to four test lines.
He also offered the Gilching grammar school to test classes Q11 and Q12 this Sunday: "Of the 300 students, over 100 have already registered."
In Wessling, the municipality is making the train station available to him rent-free, and a test center is to start there in mid-May.
Hartmann is also working to make things easier for people who need a negative test to go shopping.
“I want to be able to give the citizens who tested negative a bracelet with a QR code that is valid for 24 hours.
They would have to show it in retail, it is scanned and then they are allowed in. ”He is currently negotiating this with the community.
Compulsory tests in schools: what parents need to know now
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The pharmacist Nina Hasenbalg-Glas has set up a test center in Oderding (Weilheim-Schongau district) on Easter Saturday.
Those willing to test can still come to the warehouse between Weilheim and Peißenberg without prior notification.
But she expects the test to be compulsory at schools and in retail outlets.
“Everything is happening right now.” She can imagine making time slots with students in the future.
Sufficiently trained staff and test capacities are available.
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