They were once hectically introduced during the pandemic, now they are being vigorously reduced: the free corona tests. Too expensive, not meaningful enough. But if you want to sneak a free test in the future, it won’t be too difficult for you.
Stuttgart (dpa/lsw) – In Baden-Württemberg, citizens have to pay three euros for an unrelated corona test from Friday. Health Minister Manne Lucha (Greens) told journalists in Stuttgart on Tuesday: “We will not replace them, in any of the countries.” A little later, the Greens politician put his statement about the other federal states into perspective: “As of now, I don’t know of any other federal state that wants to do things differently.” Lucha welcomed the federal government’s decision to end the tests without cause, but complained that Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) had not yet officially regulated the exceptions and checks at the test sites. “We’re still waiting. But he still has two days left,” said the Green.
Country sees high risk of abuse
According to an agreement in the federal government, the offer of free rapid corona tests for everyone is to end this week. The regulation is intended to reduce billions in costs for the federal government, which has so far completely financed the tests. The federal states can take over the three-euro citizen share if they decide to do so. From July 1st, “citizen tests” will only remain free for certain risk groups. In addition, people who want to visit a relative in a retirement or nursing home should also be entitled to a free test.
The countries fear abuse here, because theoretically everyone could claim that they would like to visit their relatives in the home. Baden-Württemberg and other states had already demanded last week that the federal government also restrict more severely who is allowed to test and thus make testing more professional. Lucha explained on Tuesday that the federal government now wants to let the previous test stations continue to work and only no longer allow new ones.
Test before a concert or family celebration for three euros
As a rule, three euros should be due out of pocket per test in the future: for example, before attending indoor concerts, before larger family celebrations or visits to older people, after risk contacts in the event of a warning on the Corona app. Conversely, this means that if you only want to be tested out of a feeling, you are not actually entitled to a test with an additional payment of three euros, but have to dig deeper into your pocket. These are all preliminary regulations from Minister Lauterbach’s house. When asked how all this is going to be controlled, Lucha said: “It’s the minister’s job to put these things before us.” The states are not responsible for this.
Exceptions for small children and contact persons of infected people
According to preliminary information from the Federal Ministry of Health, the following are entitled to a free test: children up to the age of 5, women in the first three months of their pregnancy as well as visitors and patients in old people’s and nursing homes and hospitals. Anyone who lives in the same household with an infected person should also be exempt from the co-payment, as should people who cannot be vaccinated.
Kretschmann affirms: “I have no authoritarian desires”
Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann renewed his request to the traffic light federal government to quickly take precautions for a new corona wave in autumn. He hopes that the countries can take all possible protective measures again in an emergency. The 74-year-old also made it clear: “I have no authoritarian desires.” He was also “not a fan of curfews”. He firmly believes that such measures will not be needed in autumn and winter, but it is good to have the option in hand.
The FDP, which also applies the brakes at federal traffic lights, criticized the head of government. “It seems downright bizarre when Prime Minister Kretschmann claims that he is not a fan of curfews, but in the same breath demands that his Corona tool kit must also include exit restrictions,” said FDP parliamentary group leader Hans-Ulrich Rülke. “Thank God he doesn’t decide that, but the traffic light coalition in the federal government, in which the FDP has a huge say.”
