In the next few weeks, the number of reported new infections could initially decrease further.

This is not necessarily good news, because the lack of corona tests may be responsible for this.

With the start of the autumn break, on the one hand, the regular self-tests of the schoolchildren, which often provided information about infection sources in families, are no longer required.

On the other hand, the federal government has decided to no longer pay for the costs of the citizen tests, which were previously offered nationwide.

Above all, this increases the pressure on unvaccinated people who now have to pay for the negative proof if they want to take part in 3G events.

Monika Ganster

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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The list of test

stations

published by

the Ministry of Social Affairs on

www.corona-test-hessen.de is still long

. But if demand falls, the supply will be thinned out, predictions there. The list is then updated, but the authority is dependent on information as to which test centers will be closed, as the operators do not have to deregister from the ministry.

In addition to those who are willing to pay, there are a number of people who are still allowed to request a free rapid test, especially those for whom there is no vaccination recommendation: children under the age of twelve and expectant mothers in the first trimester of pregnancy.

There are also exceptions for people who take part in studies on the effectiveness of corona vaccines or students from abroad who have been immunized with a vaccine that is not approved in Germany.

All of this has to be proven.

Rapid tests are only for those with no symptoms

There will also be free tests for people who had to go into quarantine because of contact with an infected person. For children between 12 and 17 years of age, the state provides an interim solution until the end of the year, they can continue to be tested free of charge. However, students are tested in school at least twice a week anyway, so the offer only bridges vacation periods and weekends. The Ministry of Social Affairs advises that the rapid tests are only intended for people who have no symptoms. If you feel sick, you should go to your family doctor or call 116117. In the case of corona symptoms, a PCR test will then be necessary, which is still part of the medical care and free of charge for those with health insurance.

The Ministry of Social Affairs is not concerned about the lower number of tests, since the state government is already relying on several indicators to describe the pandemic situation: In addition to the seven-day incidence of infection, the incidence of hospitalization, the occupancy of the intensive care units, the total bed occupancy and the current vaccination rate are also included considered.

Costs for unvaccinated people not yet clear

How much an unvaccinated person will have to pay in the rapid test centers from the coming week is not specified.

Each provider then determines the price himself.

So far, the federal government has reimbursed the test stations 11.50 euros per rapid test.

Presumably the new prices will be higher.

The Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB), which has seven test stations in Frankfurt, will charge 15 euros for a rapid test from October 11th - unless there is an indication. In the future, the employees of the test stations will not only have to record the personal data of the walk-in customers, but also check their authorizations if a free test is required, explains Michael Gies, who is responsible for the test stations at the ASB. However, he foresees that this cannot happen completely: Every citizen is entitled to a free PCR test if a corona rapid test has previously turned out positive. But you can't check that.

After the autumn vacation, the actual number of infections is likely to rise again, and a similar effect was observed after the summer vacation because of the number of travelers returning.

Therefore, the protective measures in the schools will be strengthened again from October 25: Hesse's students would then have to wear a mask three times instead of twice for the corona test and also in class on the field, the Ministry of Education announced.

These stricter rules apply from October 25th to November 5th.