The federal government has de facto introduced compulsory corona testing for companies. Those who do not work in the home office should therefore receive at least one corona rapid test per week. However, there is still no obligation to actually be tested.
The federal government has approved the introduction of a mandatory test offer for companies. German employers must offer their employees at least one rapid corona test per week in the future.
That applies at least to employees who are not in the home office. The decision to actually be tested lies with the employees themselves.
From April 19, 2021: Ordinance makes companies responsible
According to a draft, Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to make companies more responsible in the future. The new regulation, which by the way is not part of the designated Infection Protection Act, should from 19. April 2021 (Calendar week 16/2021) come into force.
The Federal Ministry of Economics, however, resisted such a decision until the end. Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) preferred to rely on the companies’ own responsibility and voluntariness. But that wasn’t enough.
According to the regulation, the self-commitment of the economy is not an alternative. Hubertus Heil referred to current surveys, according to which only six out of ten employees (61 percent) received a test offer from their employer.
Only 69 percent would have a regular test offer ready or plan one.
Corona test obligation for companies: the requirements
The new regulation now stipulates that companies must make at least one test offer per week for their employees. This applies to all employees who work at least partially in the office on site.
The Federal Ministry of Labor calls for employees to be tested. However, the regulation is not tantamount to a test requirement. In the end, the employees can decide for themselves whether or not to accept the offer. The test is only compulsory for companies, not for employees.
In employment groups with an increased risk of infection, employees must also at least twice a week receive a trial offer. However, the draft lacks a precise definition in this regard. The companies also have to bear the costs of purchasing the rapid tests themselves.
Corona occupational health and safety ordinance extended until the end of June 2021
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In the course of the new ordinance, Minister of Labor Heil also extended the applicable rules of the Corona occupational health and safety ordinance until June 30, 2021. The mandatory test offer will continue to apply for the same time.
