The so-called corona citizen tests should in future cost three euros for most people and only be free for risk groups. This was announced by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach on Friday in Berlin after the government had reached an agreement on a new test regulation. It should 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 – if the costs were fully assumed, 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.
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