Corona test centers at the limit of capacity - supply problems and high prices threaten

Strong demand: skiers and employees have been queuing in front of the test stations in Garmisch-Partenkirchen since Wednesday.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen - The 2G plus rule in the cable cars and the 3G rule at the workplace have been causing a rush to the corona test stations in Garmisch-Partenkirchen since Wednesday.

“Very, very many skiers,” says Hermann Guggemoos, have used these opportunities in the past few days.

The health forum spokesman for pharmacists in the district estimates that around 80 percent of all customers who queue at the test centers are skiers.

At the Dreitorspitz pharmacy in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a 100-meter-long line of impatient people had formed, says Guggemoos.

To avoid long waiting times, he recommends making an appointment online.

Verena Bockkorni can confirm the run on the tests.

“There is a very strong demand.

We are busy, but not overloaded, ”says the spokeswoman for the pharmacies in the district.

In order to cope with the masses, she has increased the personnel and time capacities in the old pharmacies and in the Ludwigs-Apotheke, which she operates.

"We also test outside of the opening times," emphasizes Bockhorni, around Saturdays and by arrangement.

According to Guggemoos and Bockhorni, there are among those waiting in addition to employees who have to present a negative decision to their boss, as well as people who have had contact with people with Covid. Stephan Scharf, press spokesman for the district office, also noticed the increased volume at the test centers - at the station at the Alpspitz wave pool operated by the authority and the one at the Lidl car park. There are other test options at other pharmacies and at Garmischer Kurpark. "There are also test stations in Grainau to which we had to refer guests who had already arrived at the valley station of the Zugspitze cable car without a test," says Verena Altenhofen. The BZB spokeswoman reports on many skiers who waited early in the morning at the cog railway stations for the ascent without a quick test.Altenhofen reports that the guests are very frustrated. “Regulars and locals complain to us about our access regulations,” she says. She emphasizes that the BZB must implement these requirements.

As soon as there is an increased demand, supply problems arise during the tests.

"The bottleneck for free sales is foreseeable," predicts Guggemoos.

In addition, "prices are rising horrendously".

The rapid test remains free in pharmacies and test centers, whereas the PCR tests and rapid tests that are sold to customers are expensive.

Bockhorni has recognized delivery problems at the dealerships, but that doesn't affect her herself: "I have ordered well."