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Test center in Berlin: Since March, the federal government has paid at least one test per week
Photo: Paul Zinken / dpa
Since March, the federal government has been bearing the costs for at least one rapid corona test per week.
In view of rising vaccination rates, this offer is due to expire.
The Federal Ministry of Health proposes an end to the free rapid tests for all citizens by mid-October.
Since a direct vaccination offer can now be made to all citizens, permanent cost assumption by the taxpayer is not indicated, according to a ministry report on the further procedure in autumn and winter, which was sent to the states and the Bundestag. The report is also available to SPIEGEL.
It is therefore proposed that the federal government end the offer of free citizen tests for everyone in mid-October - around October 11th or 18th.
Only for people who cannot be vaccinated or for whom there is no general vaccination recommendation, such as pregnant women or under-18s, should there continue to be free rapid tests.
"The free citizen tests have made an important contribution to breaking the third wave and to giving citizens additional security for their everyday lives," says the report.
Ministry of Health warns of fourth wave
The Ministry of Health also warns of a fourth corona wave in its report.
It is therefore important to continue to ask citizens to exercise caution and caution.
The most important means in the fight against the pandemic is still a vaccination against the virus.
A complete return to normality is only possible when the »basic immunity in the population has been increased by vaccination in such a way that, on the one hand, the infection process no longer overloads the health system and, on the other hand, the groups of people who cannot yet be vaccinated, can be protected against a possible serious illness with reasonable effort. "
More than 60 percent of the population have been vaccinated against Corona at least once.
However, around 32 million citizens in Germany are still not vaccinated, including more than nine million children for whom there is still no approved vaccine.
In its report, the Ministry of Health therefore points out that protective measures against the virus will also be necessary in autumn and winter.
Due to the advanced vaccination campaign, protective measures could nevertheless be more moderate than last autumn and winter.
"Such a drastic lockdown as in the second and third waves will in all probability not be necessary," says the report.
Mask requirement "until spring 2022"
Specifically, in addition to a high vaccination rate, "consistent and incidence-independent", further observance of basic measures such as distance, hygiene and wearing a mask is necessary - everywhere where many people meet in closed rooms, for whom the vaccination status is not known, or particularly among them vulnerable people. The need to wear a medical protective mask becomes mandatory "until spring 2022", especially in local and long-distance public transport as well as in retail - "for everyone, including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered."
On August 10, the prime ministers of the federal states want to discuss how to proceed in the pandemic together with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU).
Then the subject of citizen tests should also be on the agenda.
Rapid tests should "not suddenly become chargeable overnight," said Deputy Government Spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.
asc / flo / dpa