Returners: start free corona tests

Florian Tiefenböck studied human medicine at the LMU Munich. In March 2014, he joined as a student and has supported the editorial team with medical articles ever since. After receiving his medical license and practical work in internal medicine at the University Hospital Augsburg, he has been a permanent member of the team since December 2019 and, among other things, ensures the medical quality of the tools.

More posts by Florian Tiefenböck All content is checked by medical journalists.

In the first federal states, the school holidays are coming to an end - and travelers are coming home from all over the world. You can now generally be tested for Corona - for some, however, stricter rules apply.

In the fight against the spread of the coronavirus over the summer travel season, voluntary tests are to be started on holiday returnees on a broad front. This is set out in an ordinance from Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU). "Anyone who comes back from a trip should be tested - voluntarily and free of charge." The increasing numbers of infections in Germany are a clear warning signal. "The virus doesn't go on vacation."

When and where to have it tested?

Free tests can be taken within 72 hours of entry - the time span corresponds to three days. They should be possible, for example, at airports, train stations and other travel hubs, in health authorities or medical practices. It should also be possible to inquire about test sites under the medical service number 116 117.

The costs for a repeat test per person are also covered. You can prove that you are a returnee, for example with a boarding pass, a ticket, a hotel bill or other evidence of a stay abroad. According to the Ministry of Health, the result should be available after about 24 to 48 hours, depending on how busy the test centers are.

Who bears the corona test costs?

The tests are initially paid for by the statutory health insurances - but the Ministry of Health has already signaled that the federal government will ultimately take over the financing via a higher billion-dollar subsidy to the health insurers, which has already been decided. For the time being, the ordinance sets EUR 50.50 per test for laboratory services, and a flat-rate fee of EUR 15 is provided for doctors. There has been criticism of the financing of the tests on taxpayer costs. Spahn argues against it that nobody should do without it for financial reasons. Undetected infections could become more expensive.

What applies when returning from risk areas?

Stricter rules already apply to those returning travelers who have been to risk areas with high numbers of infections. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) publishes which countries these are. The three Spanish regions of Aragón, Catalonia and Navarra were added on Friday. From the EU, Luxembourg is also on the list. Anyone who comes from such risk areas has to go directly to home quarantine for 14 days and report to the health department. It is also possible to present a negative test result that is no more than 48 hours old.

An obligation to test will soon take effect for returnees from risk areas - an order announced by Spahn is to come into force in the course of the coming week. Then the following should apply: Anyone coming from a risk area must either be tested within 48 hours before entry or within 72 hours after entry. Until there is a negative result, you have to be quarantined at home in Germany. The result must be proven within 72 hours at the health department with a test certificate in German or English. (ft / dpa)

Tags:  Menstruation toadstool poison plants alternative medicine