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Man assaults coronavirus tester at Berlin airport

The Local Germany
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Man assaults coronavirus tester at Berlin airport
Travellers returning to Berlin Tegel on July 27th. Photo: DPA

The coronavirus testing facility at Berlin’s Tegel Airport was closed early on Sunday following an assault of an employee

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A father demanded a test for his children, who were set to return to a Kita on Monday, reported Berlin’s Tagesspiegel. When the testing employee refused, the man pushed her into a barrier. 

"Unfortunately, the situation escalated," said Charité board member Ulrich Frei on Sunday evening.

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The test centre was therefore closed at 6pm, three hours earlier than usual. On Monday, it reopened for the usual hours of operation between 8am to 9pm.

The centre, led by Berlin’s Charité university hospital, is only authorised to test home-bound travellers, and the family did not fit into this category, said Frei.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about Germany's plans for mandatory Covid-19 tests for returning travellers

For returnees from risk areas, it has been mandatory to take a test upon arrival at the airport since August 8th.

If they receive a negative result, they can avoid a two-week quarantine which is required for anyone who tests positive for the virus.

Following the closure of the testing centre on Sunday evening, passengers on six flights arriving from Spain were unable to be tested, German newspaper Bild reported.

All of Spain, with the exception of the Canary Islands, was designated as a risk area on Friday. 

READ ALSO: Germany declares Spain as 'high-risk' coronavirus area

 


 

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