Article author:
Associated Press
Berlin (AP) — Vulnerable groups are exempt from fees, but Germany begins to charge for the expedited COVID-19 test, which was previously free.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Friday, a rapid inspection widely available at centers throughout Germany will cost citizens € 3 ($ 3.16) each, with the rest being governmental. He said he would receive a grant.
The test remains free for anyone who can prove to be in a vulnerable group, a care facility or hospital visitor, or a small child.
With the end of the free test scheduled for the end of June, people unknowingly spread the virus, which could lead to an undetectable increase in coronavirus cases in Germany in the coming months. There was concern that it was sexual.
Roterbach said the government calculated that subsidies for the test would cost around € 2.6 billion in the second half of this year. This is about one-third of the amount paid in the same period in 2021.
Germany recorded more than 108,000 newly identified COVID-19 cases in 24 hours on Friday, killing 90 people.
