In Germany, the unvaccinated will have to pay for their covid tests | Until now they were free for everyone

Starting at October, those who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus in Germany will have to pay for the tests detect a disease, which until now are free for the whole population. The measure, announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel, aims to promote vaccination.

The decision, which will take effect on October 11, was adopted by consensus during Merkel’s virtual meeting with the heads of government of the 16 federal states, during which other measures were also adopted to control the evolution of the pandemic in Germany, where new cases rebound as the vaccination rate declines.

Mandatory tests and payments

By October 11, authorities said, everyone in Germany will have had a chance to get the vaccine. The rule excludes those under 18 and people with medical contraindications.

Testing will be mandatory indoors and at large events based on a local cumulative incidence of 35 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days. The cumulative national incidence stood at 23.5 on Tuesday.

Mass protests, chinstrap use and distancing

In sporting events with more than 5,000 spectators, up to 50% of the maximum capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 25,000 people.

Security measures, such as the use of masks in closed or crowded public spaces, as well as distancing, will remain in effect and will be reviewed every four weeks.

This is, argued the Chancellor, “react with soft measures “to the evolution of the pandemic, to try to” avoid dramatic measures “. Authorities are now focusing on “slowing the progression” of the coronavirus and promoting vaccination. “

Vaccination in Germany

Merkel called the drop in vaccination rates in recent weeks “bad news”, something she attributed to the holiday season, and expects demand to increase as the school year begins.

The Chancellor pointed out that health restrictions will not apply to fully immunized people (vaccinated and cured of the disease).

The Chancellor also explained that due to the effect of the vaccination campaign, more variables will start to be taken into account in addition to the cumulative incidence when adopting the restrictions.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for Virology reported on Tuesday 2,480 new cases in the last 24 hours, as well as 19 deaths with or by the coronavirus. Germany has thus accumulated 3,794,429 positives and 91,803 deaths.

According to the Ministry of Health, as of Monday 62.5% of the population (52 million people) had received at least one dose of the vaccine against the covid and 55.1% (45.8 million) had received me already administered the entire plan.