Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach commented at noon on how the Corona citizen tests would continue. From July, these will no longer be free for everyone.
The most important thing: There should continue to be an offer with free corona quick tests for risk groups over the summer – but for everyone else “citizen tests” should cost three euros in the future. Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach shared this on Friday in Berlin after a corresponding agreement in the government a new test regulation that is to apply from June 30th.
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 spending of 2.7 billion euros by the end of the year – with full takeover, up to five billion euros would have been expected.
Free rapid tests should continue to be possible for vulnerable groups in the future, 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.
2:04 p.m .: Epidemiologist Professor Timo Ulrichs is critical of the Lauterbach project. Although the tests are expensive, they could “become important again in the fall, when a wave of pandemics will make more measures necessary again.” Making them chargeable would mean that many people would not take this additional measure, ”said the epidemiologist in an interview with the news portal watson.
With the free citizen tests, the state is handing over an important control and measuring instrument for the pandemic, Ulrichs said. “Even when monitoring the dynamics of the infection, it will be important to keep the observation conditions the same.” Ulrichs sees a comprehensive testing strategy as unavoidable in the coming autumn: “We had already restricted free access to tests before, and the disadvantages were very great . We should continue with this investment and continue to offer all tests free of charge – and set the requirement ‘tested’ as part of a package of measures, for example for access to events or indoor areas”.
1:18 p.m .: The agreement with Finance Minister Lindner fell late last night. The state health ministers were therefore first informed today, according to Lauterbach. And with that, the press conference is over.
1:16 p.m .: The federal government will also spend 2.7 billion euros on the tests with the current regulation, according to Lauterbach.
1:15 p.m .: The states can take over the citizen’s own share, according to Lauterbach. Whether the countries also do this, he cannot say. However, he expects that the number of tests will be reduced by the personal contribution.
1:13 p.m .: Recipients of social assistance benefits are not exempt from the costs, according to Lauterbach. The test centers do not check who receives social assistance and who does not. That is too much bureaucracy.
1:12 p.m .: Lauterbach also announces that a “support law” for a new infection protection law will come before the parliamentary summer break.
1:10 p.m .: Lauterbach announces that everyone who is entitled to a free test must fill out a form. The 3€ can be paid in cash or by card.
1:09 p.m .: Lauterbach is asked whether free tests will be introduced again for everyone in the fall. “We can’t say that at the moment,” said the Minister of Health.
1:09 p.m.: From 30.6. the new test regulation will come into force.
1:08 p.m .: The test regulation should also enable better control of the test centers, according to Lauterbach. Most recently, cases had become known in Berlin, among other places, that criminals had stolen millions.
1:07 p.m .: In view of the tight budget situation, free tests for everyone can no longer be afforded, according to Lauterbach. Even if he would have liked that.
1.05 p.m .: Health Minister Lauterbach is. He announces: Tests remain free for vulnerable groups. Everyone else has to pay 3€ per test!
1 p.m.: Hello and welcome. The statement is still delayed.
Will they remain freely available to everyone or not? At 1 p.m., Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) wants to comment on the question of citizen tests.
Until the end of June, everyone without a reason or symptoms is still entitled to at least one quick test per week at test sites by trained personnel. Lauterbach has so far wanted to move away from this. According to Lauterbach’s idea, people with symptoms should in future be eligible for free tests, as well as other selected groups such as small children and pregnant women.
In view of the rising numbers, it is possible that the minister will move away from this plan. FOCUS Online reports in the live ticker.
