https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Most people now have to pay to get an antigen test in Germany. Here's what you should know about the new rules. https://www.thelocal.de/20220630/explained-the-new-rules-on-getting-a-covid-test-in-germany Thu, 30 Jun 2022 19:20:23 +0200 explained-the-new-rules-on-getting-a-covid-test-in-germany Doctors in Germany have slammed the new Covid testing regime, which involves partly charging for rapid tests. https://www.thelocal.de/20220701/german-doctors-say-covid-testing-is-too-expensive-and-bureaucratic Fri, 01 Jul 2022 12:23:36 +0200 german-doctors-say-covid-testing-is-too-expensive-and-bureaucratic Most people in Germany will have to pay for a Covid antigen test from Thursday as part of a new testing strategy from the government, which is also aimed at combatting fraudulent activity. https://www.thelocal.de/20220630/germany-starts-charging-for-covid-19-antigen-tests Thu, 30 Jun 2022 12:22:58 +0200 germany-starts-charging-for-covid-19-antigen-tests Germany is set to end free rapid Covid tests for all from July. In future they will cost €3. https://www.thelocal.de/20220624/germany-to-charge-e3-for-rapid-covid-tests Fri, 24 Jun 2022 17:53:05 +0200 germany-to-charge-e3-for-rapid-covid-tests German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wants to restrict access to free rapid Covid tests - known as Bürgertests - from July. https://www.thelocal.de/20220622/german-health-minister-wants-to-scrap-free-rapid-covid-tests-for-all Wed, 22 Jun 2022 12:07:15 +0200 german-health-minister-wants-to-scrap-free-rapid-covid-tests-for-all Free Covid rapid tests are set to end in July, but with infections on the up, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has hinted that a rethink is on the cards. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20220620/will-germany-keep-free-covid-tests-after-june Mon, 20 Jun 2022 19:42:36 +0200 will-germany-keep-free-covid-tests-after-june Germany has been offering Covid-19 antigen tests free of charge to everyone - except for a few weeks in October 2021 - for a year. But with restrictions lifting, how long will the system stay in place? https://www.thelocal.de/20220324/how-long-will-germany-offer-free-rapid-covid-19-tests Thu, 24 Mar 2022 18:21:44 +0100 how-long-will-germany-offer-free-rapid-covid-19-tests Researchers at Munich's Ludwig Maximilian University have found that antigen tests are often highly unreliable when it comes to detecting an infection with the Omicron variant. https://www.thelocal.de/20220222/antigen-tests-often-fail-to-pick-up-omicron-munich-researchers-find Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:01:39 +0100 antigen-tests-often-fail-to-pick-up-omicron-munich-researchers-find According to a recent decision by the German federal and state governments, PCR tests will soon be restricted to high-risk groups and people who work with vulnerable people. But how does this affect things like quarantine rules and measuring infection rates? Here's what we know so far. https://www.thelocal.de/20220126/what-to-know-about-germanys-planned-pcr-test-restrictions Wed, 26 Jan 2022 18:21:25 +0100 what-to-know-about-germanys-planned-pcr-test-restrictions Under changes to Germany's Covid entry regulations penned before Christmas, children over the age of six must now carry proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test in order to enter the country from a 'high risk' area. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20220124/explained-germanys-latest-covid-travel-rules-for-children Mon, 24 Jan 2022 11:13:00 +0100 explained-germanys-latest-covid-travel-rules-for-children Covid self-testing kits have become increasingly scarce in Germany in recent months, reflecting the high demand caused by new 3G rules and socialising. But experts say anyone who wants a test can get one - provided they put in a bit of extra effort. Here's how. https://www.thelocal.de/20211217/how-to-find-rapid-covid-tests-in-germany-ahead-of-christmas Fri, 17 Dec 2021 12:53:45 +0100 how-to-find-rapid-covid-tests-in-germany-ahead-of-christmas Germany is planning to bring back the offer of a free rapid Covid test per week to residents as concerns grow over the rising number of infections. https://www.thelocal.de/20211110/germany-set-to-bring-back-free-covid-tests Wed, 10 Nov 2021 18:32:41 +0100 germany-set-to-bring-back-free-covid-tests Germany ended free Covid testing in October to encourage more people to get vaccinated. But as infections rise, many people now say the system should be brought back. https://www.thelocal.de/20211108/will-germany-bring-back-free-rapid-tests-amid-covid-surge Mon, 08 Nov 2021 14:05:01 +0100 will-germany-bring-back-free-rapid-tests-amid-covid-surge We looked at what tourists in Germany should know when it comes to Covid testing, and Germany's health pass regulations. https://www.thelocal.de/20210825/reader-question-can-visitors-to-germany-still-get-free-covid-tests-under-new-rules Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:36:20 +0200 reader-question-can-visitors-to-germany-still-get-free-covid-tests-under-new-rules People in Germany can no longer take Covid antigen tests free of charge under new rules aimed at encouraging more vaccinations. https://www.thelocal.de/20211011/germany-ends-free-rapid-covid-19-tests-for-all Mon, 11 Oct 2021 12:17:29 +0200 germany-ends-free-rapid-covid-19-tests-for-all Germany is bringing in sweeping changes to its Covid testing strategy from Monday October 11th. Here's what you should know. https://www.thelocal.de/20211008/what-changes-from-monday-for-free-covid-testing-in-germany Fri, 08 Oct 2021 14:01:23 +0200 what-changes-from-monday-for-free-covid-testing-in-germany From next month, Germany is getting rid of its taxpayer-funded free rapid tests. Who will still get them for free? And how much will they cost to others? https://www.thelocal.de/20210907/explained-who-will-still-get-free-covid-tests-in-germany-from-october Tue, 07 Sep 2021 18:55:50 +0200 explained-who-will-still-get-free-covid-tests-in-germany-from-october In a bid to stem the rise in Covid-19 infection rates, politicians are ramping up the pressure on those who have not yet been vaccinated. Two of the candidates to become the next chancellor of Germany -- Armin Laschet and Olaf Scholz -- want to see an end to free Covid tests for everybody from this autumn. https://www.thelocal.de/20210808/german-public-shouldnt-pay-for-covid-19-tests-long-term Sun, 08 Aug 2021 22:44:03 +0200 german-public-shouldnt-pay-for-covid-19-tests-long-term Everyone should have to be tested for Covid when they return to Germany from abroad, even those who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid, the head of the World Medical Association said on Saturday. https://www.thelocal.de/20210807/leading-doctor-calls-for-compulsory-tests-for-everyone-returning-to-germany-including-vaccinated Sat, 07 Aug 2021 12:50:17 +0200 leading-doctor-calls-for-compulsory-tests-for-everyone-returning-to-germany-including-vaccinated You'll probably need a negative Covid test if you're travelling into Germany, but what if you also need to get one while you're there? We take a look at how to go about it. https://www.thelocal.de/20210625/how-to-get-a-covid-19-test-while-travelling-in-germany Fri, 25 Jun 2021 11:18:14 +0200 how-to-get-a-covid-19-test-while-travelling-in-germany