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No more paying for an "unlimited" test: SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach
Photo: CLEMENS BILAN / EPA
For more than half a year, they were free for all citizens - now the corona rapid tests usually have to be paid for yourself.
Generally they remain free for people who cannot be vaccinated, including children under 12 years of age.
This is determined by a new federal regulation that comes into force on Monday.
The end of the so-called citizen tests is received differently in politics.
SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach has described the expiry of the free tests as correct.
"It would be wrong to pay those who refuse the solidarity of vaccination unlimited solidarity for the tests," said Lauterbach of the Düsseldorf "Rheinische Post".
"The right step"
The municipalities also welcome the move.
"We do not assume that the discontinued free tests lead to serious social conflicts," said the chief executive of the Association of Towns and Municipalities, Gerd Landsberg, the editorial network Germany.
"In view of a vaccination rate of 80 percent in adults, this is the right step," said the President of the German District Association, Reinhard Sager, the newspapers of the Funke media group.
The Left Party, on the other hand, had criticized the end of the free tests.
"This makes it more difficult to understand chains of infection and the development of the infection process, it does not help anyone," said party leader Janine Wissler.
"In the end, that's more expensive than the tests."
The AfD chairman Tino Chrupalla had already criticized the abolition in August: "It is irresponsible that the citizens themselves have to pay for an obligation that the state has made."
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the Prime Ministers had agreed that the offer of free citizen tests for everyone without symptoms, financed by the federal government since the beginning of March, should end.
Since free vaccinations are possible for everyone, taxpayers no longer have to assume the test costs on a permanent basis.
Which exceptions still apply
The regulation also lays down some transitional rules.
Children aged 12 to 17 and pregnant women can take at least one free test per week until December 31st.
The reason is that a general vaccination recommendation from the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has only recently been available - so there should be longer time for a vaccination.
In general, children who have not yet reached the age of twelve or who only turned twelve in the last three months before the test can continue to be tested free of charge.
It remains free, among other things, for people who need a test to end a quarantine due to a corona infection.
In order to continue to receive free rapid tests, you have to present an official ID with a photo to the test center - in the case of children, this also provides proof of age.
Extra evidence such as a medical certificate is required if you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons - according to the ministry, a diagnosis does not have to be given.
The maternity card can be used to prove pregnancy.
The change does not affect PCR tests initiated by doctors or the health department.
In these cases the costs will be covered according to the information provided by the federal government.
So if, for example, a doctor has a patient with symptoms that indicate Corona tested using the PCR method, this test is free of charge for the sick person.
mrc / dpa