End of the free corona tests - Ministry of Health suggests timing

The free citizen tests to contain the corona pandemic are to be abolished from October.

That is what the Ministry of Health suggested.

Berlin - The Federal Ministry of Health is proposing an end to the free Corona * rapid tests for all citizens in 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.

It is available to the German Press Agency.

Coronavirus in Germany: Ministry of Health suggests - tests will be charged from October

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.

Free corona tests: Federal and state governments advise on abolition - "not suddenly chargeable overnight"

"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. The topic is to be discussed on August 10th by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the Prime Minister, as the German government had announced. Rapid tests should not "suddenly become chargeable overnight," said deputy spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer. Since March, the federal government has been paying for at least one rapid test * per week.