After the Federal Ministry of Health created the basis for free citizen tests with a new version of the federal coronavirus test regulation sent to the federal states on Sunday (March 7th), the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Health immediately issued a general decree on Sunday for implementation in North Rhine-Westphalia . This regulates that pharmacies, private test centers and other service providers who have already carried out corona rapid tests and meet certain minimum requirements, from today, Monday (March 8), also offer and bill the new, free rapid tests for citizens can. The Federal Test Ordinance stipulates that the test offers can be used by citizens who have their place of residence or permanent residence in the federal territory at least once a week.
Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann explains: “We can start immediately. At the same time, we are working flat out together with the municipalities to expand the local test structure nationwide for foreseeable increasing needs, as the Prime Minister’s decision envisages by the beginning of April. Since I know that many municipalities, pharmacies and other providers are already in the starting blocks and have only been waiting for legal certainty from Berlin, I am confident that we can ensure this quickly in North Rhine-Westphalia. “
The costs for the tests are reimbursed to the test centers in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Test Ordinance.
As of today, the free rapid tests can be performed by the following test centers:
- Doctors and test centers operated by the statutory health insurance associations
- Test centers that are operated by the municipal health authorities or by third parties that have already been commissioned by the health authorities
- Pharmacies and private test centers etc. that have already offered tests and meet certain minimum standards
Citizens receive proof of the test result on site (either electronically or in paper form).
If the test result is positive, an immediate PCR confirmation test should be carried out (if necessary, in cooperation with another local test center).
The tests primarily serve to speed up the detection and avoidance of chains of infection. The Corona Protection Ordinance, which has been in force since today, provides for a previous daily test for facial services such as hairdressers or beauticians, where the mask cannot be worn. Until April 1, 2021, a quick test on site before the service in the presence of the service provider’s staff is sufficient for customers.
More information can be found here:
https://www.mags.nrw/sites/default/files/asset/document/210307_av_vorlaeufige_beauftragung.pdf
https://www.mags.nrw/sites/default/files/asset/document/210307_anlage_av_vorlaeufige_beauftragung_0.pdf
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