Regarding the federal government’s plans to significantly reduce free citizen tests, Holetschek said: “It must not fail now because of the money or that Finance Minister Lindner is now making the issue dependent on how much budgetary funds are available.” It is “responsible” to reduce the tests. On the other hand, visitors to old people’s and nursing homes, caring relatives or in hospitals definitely need more free test options.
Vaccination and compulsory masks are important topics for Holetschek
With a view to autumn, Holetschek emphasized that there was a need to be able to take certain measures again if they were necessary and proportionate. From his point of view, vaccination will be a central topic, but so will the obligation to wear a mask. It was agreed with the countries to go into the discussion again. “It will certainly also be about the topic of masks indoors and we will now use the week again to fix things together and then make a proposal together from all countries.”
Lauterbach sees “difficult times” coming
After the health ministers’ conference on Thursday, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) said: “A very difficult time lies ahead of us.” No finished concept has yet been presented on the controversial issue of continuing to offer free citizen tests. A package should be presented, which he will finalize with Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), said Lauterbach. Without a follow-up regulation, the citizen tests would end on June 30th.
Lauterbach does not want to limit occasion-related corona tests
The Minister of Health emphasized that from his point of view, citizen tests were “absolutely necessary” even beyond the previous regulation until the end of June. But: Tests without a reason should be restricted. In addition, the test centers should be monitored more closely.
Tests may only be in areas with “greatest benefit”
The SPD minister explained on “Deutschlandfunk” that in future the tests should be concentrated on the areas “where they have the greatest benefit”. This applies to people who go to hospitals or nursing homes, people suspected of being infected or people who have already developed symptoms of the disease, but also “those who go to large events where many people can become infected”.
Lauterbach justified the restrictions, among other things, with the high costs of the tests, which at times amounted to one billion euros per month. In addition, the quality of the tests must be improved. It is also about preventing abuse.
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