Prioritizing PCR tests: what does this mean for travel?

Created: 01/25/2022 10:57 am

By: Franziska Kaindl

In the future, PCR tests will be reserved for risk groups and healthcare workers.

© Hannes P. Albert/Imago

Due to limited laboratory capacities, PCR tests in Germany will soon only be available to prioritized groups.

But what does that mean for travel?

The Omicron variant is causing increasing numbers of corona cases* throughout Germany - which is pushing the laboratories to the limits of their capacities.

Therefore, the federal and state governments agreed at the Prime Ministers' Conference (MPK) to only make PCR tests accessible to certain groups in the future: including those who were previously ill, the elderly or healthcare workers.

At the same time, however, PCR tests are also a prerequisite for entry into some countries: So what do the plans mean for travelers?

Who has to take care of the PCR test: travelers or the tour operator?

Whether for skiing or a city trip: Austria is a popular destination among Germans even in times of a pandemic, when travelers prefer to spend their vacations closer to home.

However, the Austrian government only recently tightened the entry rules: Anyone who has not been boosted has since needed a negative PCR test as a vaccinated and recovered person.

A PCR test is also required for entry into other countries such as Cuba – rapid tests are not sufficient.

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And it looks like

: "If a PCR test is necessary for entry at the destination, travelers have to take care of the organization," explains travel lawyer Paul Degott, according to the

. "The risk of presenting a test in time lies with the traveler - not the tour operator." In his opinion, travelers cannot hope for a free cancellation because of a missing PCR test - the tour operator "does not have to bear the risk and does not share it either. That is my first impulse.” The situation has not yet been finally clarified, according to the expert.

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Where travelers can still take PCR tests

However, travelers may be lucky that the tour operator has

available himself.

DER Touristik uses the extended test structure of a free laboratory and passes it on to Jahn Reisen, ITS and Meiers Weltreisen, as

reported by

.

Unlike test laboratories with statutory health insurance physicians, these are less overloaded.

Travelers can also use the

use, which usually remain unaffected by the general infection process.

It is best for holidaymakers to make an appointment in good time so that they do not leave empty-handed before departure.

Apart from that, holidaymakers cannot count on a free cancellation from the point of view of the organizer: "In such cases, we offer rebookings or cancellations in accordance with our general terms and conditions - individual cases are checked if necessary," says FTI.