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Rapid test: The federal government does not rule out that the previously free tests in Germany for unvaccinated people will be subject to a long-term fee
Photo: Bodo Schackow / picture alliance / dpa
So far, citizens have been able to get tested for corona free of charge using a rapid antigen test.
However, that could change in the future.
The Federal Government does not rule out that the tests in Germany for unvaccinated people will be charged for in the long term.
The Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) said after talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the President of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, in Berlin. "I don't see it for Germany yet, but I don't want to rule out the possibility of getting into this situation."
Merkel added that at the moment there are still groups that cannot be vaccinated, such as children or people, who might have other reasons why they could not be vaccinated.
Measures "that are such an indirect compulsory vaccination" have to be considered carefully.
In the next few weeks it will be about advertising for vaccinations, "and then we will discuss further".
The previously free citizen tests, like the vaccination certificate in Germany, enable access to events, for example.
Söder open to chargeable corona tests
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder is also open to chargeable corona tests. "Testing costs enormous sums of money," said Söder. Therefore, it must also be considered whether the corona tests could remain free if everyone had received a vaccination offer. The CSU boss also said that the "path that France is denying" could also be partly exciting for Germany.
Because of the increasing number of corona infections, French President Emmanuel Macron had declared, among other things, that PCR tests will be chargeable from autumn if they are not prescribed.
In this way, the vaccination campaign is to be further boosted.
At the same time, Macron had announced a mandatory vaccination for staff in the health sector.
Employees in hospitals and nursing homes now have until mid-September to get vaccinated.
According to Health Minister Olivier Véran, unvaccinated people are no longer allowed to work and are no longer paid.
Söder rejects such a step.
One is also against the state paying a premium, said Bavaria's Prime Minister Söder after a cabinet meeting in Munich.
Chancellor Merkel had previously made a similar statement.
"We have no intention of going this route," said Merkel at a press conference at the RKI.
"There will be no compulsory vaccination."
"Job-specific compulsory vaccination can be discussed"
Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Health, Manne Lucha, has a different tone.
The Greens politician does not rule out compulsory vaccination for certain occupational groups and restrictions for non-vaccinated people if the rate of vaccination does not accelerate.
"A job-specific compulsory vaccination can be discussed," said the Green politician in Stuttgart.
The vaccination rate of assistants and semi-skilled workers in inpatient care facilities is currently relatively low.
Attempts are currently being made with the institutions responsible for the facilities to increase the vaccination rate.
Basically, one wants to motivate people to get vaccinated, said Lucha.
But should the motivational work not continue in the coming weeks, discussions will have to be held that "participation in social life is only available for vaccinated people".
asc / dpa