Nasal swab for a rapid corona test (symbolic photo) Photo: kir nwi
By Soren Haberlandt
The citizen tests remain in Germany – but in a week (from July 1st) they will cost three euros. Exceptions apply to risk groups.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (59, SPD) announced on Friday afternoon (June 24) the agreement of the traffic light federal government.
He would have liked to continue free citizen tests for everyone, said the SPD politician. In view of the costs of an average of one billion euros per month, the federal government can no longer afford this in the tight budget situation.
The new concept now envisages expenditures of 2.7 billion euros by the end of the year – if fully taken over, up to five billion euros would have been expected. That means the federal government will save up to 2.3 billion euros.
In the future, however, free rapid tests should continue to be possible for vulnerable groups, including children up to five years of age, women at the beginning of pregnancy and visitors to clinics and nursing homes.
The federal states would have the option of taking over the own contribution of three euros for other groups as well.
