Neukölln is sticking to free rapid tests

As of Monday, almost all citizens have to reach into their own pockets for a corona rapid test.

Depending on the provider, this can cost around 12 euros.

Neukölln's medical officer, however, wants to continue to offer tests free of charge.

Authorities shouldn't obey, he thinks.

Berlin - After the elimination of free citizen tests in the corona pandemic from this Monday, Neukölln's medical officer Nicolai Savaskan wants to stick to free offers.

In the test center in his district there will be free rapid tests after October 11 at the discretion of a doctor, Savaskan told the German press agency.

The criteria then also include proven need, for example.

"Health protection is too important to us to immediately give up free testing in a community center completely," said Savaskan.

Testing is also important in order to keep an overview of the infection process.

The attitude of the twelve Berlin medical officers on this subject is quite different, he added.

In Berlin there will probably be separate regulations for the public centers depending on the district.

From Monday, a quick test can cost around 12 euros.

According to the Senate Health Administration, a price of 3.50 euros for the material value of the test and 8 euros for the test service is a guideline.

In addition to the 14 public test centers in Berlin, there are still around 1190 private test-to-go options.

How many of them will remain depends on demand.

As of Monday, private providers of tests for certification and controls will be subordinate to the district health authorities.

Free test offers on the Neukölln district area on Blaschkoallee should be available for a transitional period at least until the end of the year, said Savaskan.

“To maneuver is not our role,” added the medical officer.

The state relied too heavily on the authority of its authorities and thus also created resistance to vaccination.

also read

Corona loss of earnings?

What employees need to know

Having to go into quarantine can have financial consequences.

On Wednesday, the health ministers discussed a uniform approach to compensation.

What does that mean in concrete terms?

Corona loss of earnings?

What employees need to know

Senate: Still free Corona test offers

The planned abolition of the free citizen test is seen by many as a means of exerting pressure on those unwilling to vaccinate.

But hardly anyone will have to pay any money for a corona test in the future either.

For example, those who visit grandma in the home can also go to the cinema afterwards.

Senate: Still free Corona test offers

Headmaster angry: pool tests from Monday unrealistic - "We'll get the spit away, Minister!"

The introduction of the PCR pool tests will start on Monday.

However, this will not work at every school.

The school management association therefore complains to Piazolo.

Headmaster angry: pool tests from Monday unrealistic - "We'll get the spit away, Minister!"

With the rapid test, doctors have discretion for medical reasons, said Savaskan.

The district also wants to use this to motivate people to vaccinate - in the same place.

If necessary, Neukölln wants to pay the additional costs for the rapid tests from its own cash.

So far, according to Savaskan's information, between 100 and 320 people per week have been tested for the Sars-CoV-2 virus on the blaschkoalle.

The end of the free rapid tests goes back to a federal-state resolution in August. As a direct vaccination offer can now be made to all citizens, the Federal Ministry of Health no longer has to assume the costs of all tests on a permanent basis, and thus the taxpayer. There are general exceptions for people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Exceptions or transitional regulations are also provided for children under the age of 12, pregnant and breastfeeding women.

According to the health administration, there are exceptions for people in women's shelters in Berlin.

There are also regulations for recipients of state transfer payments - if they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and want to take part in 2G offers with a PCR test.

dpa