Germany to offer free coronavirus tests to returning travellers
Germany will offer free coronavirus tests to all returning travellers in new measures agreed Friday, as concerns grow over a surge due to summer travel.
"Those returning from risk countries should be tested, and those returning from non-risk countries will also have the option," said Berlin health minister Dilek Kalayci after the measures were agreed by the health ministers of Germany's 16 states.
She said the tests would initially be non-mandatory and the cost would be covered by the state in all cases.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about travelling from Germany to other European countries
The new measures will see test facilities installed at airports across the country so that those returning from risk zones can be tested directly on arrival.
Those who refuse a test or test positive on arrival will be forced to quarantine at home for 14 days.
Frankfurt, Germany's largest airport, had already been offering tests for a fee, as have airports in Cologne/Bonn and Munich.
Berlin's city government has meanwhile announced that it plans to introduce airport tests from next week.
READ ALSO: How to get tested for coronavirus at Germany's airports
Those returning from non-risk countries would not be tested at the airport, but could receive a free test from their local health authority, said Kalayci.
Germany's public health institute RKI currently considers 130 nations worldwide to be "risk countries", with EU and Schengen area neighbours among the exceptions.
The new measures come amid growing fears that a rise in summer tourism could lead to a surge in coronavirus cases in Germany, which has fared relatively well in the crisis so far.
This week, the eastern city of Cottbus recorded its first new cases in three months after a family of four tested positive after returning from holiday to Mallorca.
Traditionally a popular destination for German tourists, Mallorca has recently tightened its coronavirus regulations after a rise in the number of cases.
Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn has repeatedly warned against allowing Mallorca to become a "second Ischgl", in reference to the Austrian ski resort which became one of Europe's coronavirus hotspots early in the pandemic.
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"Those returning from risk countries should be tested, and those returning from non-risk countries will also have the option," said Berlin health minister Dilek Kalayci after the measures were agreed by the health ministers of Germany's 16 states.
She said the tests would initially be non-mandatory and the cost would be covered by the state in all cases.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about travelling from Germany to other European countries
The new measures will see test facilities installed at airports across the country so that those returning from risk zones can be tested directly on arrival.
Those who refuse a test or test positive on arrival will be forced to quarantine at home for 14 days.
Frankfurt, Germany's largest airport, had already been offering tests for a fee, as have airports in Cologne/Bonn and Munich.
Berlin's city government has meanwhile announced that it plans to introduce airport tests from next week.
READ ALSO: How to get tested for coronavirus at Germany's airports
Those returning from non-risk countries would not be tested at the airport, but could receive a free test from their local health authority, said Kalayci.
Germany's public health institute RKI currently considers 130 nations worldwide to be "risk countries", with EU and Schengen area neighbours among the exceptions.
The new measures come amid growing fears that a rise in summer tourism could lead to a surge in coronavirus cases in Germany, which has fared relatively well in the crisis so far.
This week, the eastern city of Cottbus recorded its first new cases in three months after a family of four tested positive after returning from holiday to Mallorca.
Traditionally a popular destination for German tourists, Mallorca has recently tightened its coronavirus regulations after a rise in the number of cases.
Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn has repeatedly warned against allowing Mallorca to become a "second Ischgl", in reference to the Austrian ski resort which became one of Europe's coronavirus hotspots early in the pandemic.
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