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Negative rapid tests to end isolation are recommended – but are no longer mandatory
Photo: Sebastian Gollnow / picture alliance / dpa
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has recommended shortening the prescribed isolation to five days in the case of corona disease.
The RKI published new guidelines on Tuesday night, according to which free testing on day five of isolation is “strongly” recommended, but no longer mandatory.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach confirmed that the isolation should continue to be ordered by the health authorities.
The health ministers of the federal and state governments had already agreed last week on a new regulation of the isolation order, but wanted to wait for the RKI recommendation.
So far, people infected with corona have usually had to isolate themselves for seven days and then test negative.
Bavaria and Saxony, among others, had already reduced the previous mandatory isolation of infected people from ten days to five days if those affected had no symptoms for 48 hours.
In most countries, the regulation still applies that the isolation of corona infected people can be ended after seven days by free testing.
Otherwise the isolation ends after ten days.
The RKI guideline could now form the basis for a renewed nationwide standardization of the rules demanded by doctors.
The CEO of the German Hospital Society (DKG), Gerald Gaß, called for medical staff to be obliged to test themselves after the isolation, which was reduced to five days.
»The shortening of the isolation period is correct.
We are also in favor of employees in medical facilities having to take a free test," said Gass of the "Rheinische Post".
»The protection of particularly vulnerable groups is important here.
This also applies to outpatient nursing services.« At the same time, he called for the institution-related compulsory vaccination to be suspended.
"The employees in the hospitals cannot be explained why they are banned from working if they are not vaccinated, while the majority of their Covid patients are not vaccinated."
hei/AFP