Mr. Neumeier, citizen tests now cost three euros for most people.

What does this mean for your business at Covimedical?

Kim Bjorn Becker

Editor in Politics.

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The test numbers will collapse massively, that's for sure.

The three euros will be an obstacle for many people, especially for those who are not doing so well economically.

That's a lot of money for them.

The tests were no longer free for a short time last year, when our numbers dropped by 90 percent.

However, our business consists not only of citizen tests, but also of prescribed and paid PCR tests.

Anyone still eligible for a free trial must fill out a form.

Are there discussions with customers on site?

We first have to understand exactly how we have to implement the new rules.

The new regulation came at very short notice.

In the end, the self-disclosure of the customer is decisive for the billing.

For example, children up to the age of five can be tested free of charge, from the age of six their parents have to pay.

Should our employees ask for their ID or birth certificate every time they are in doubt?

We are currently having this legally examined and are developing a strategy on how we can implement this without problems arising.

Another point is how exactly we calculate the additional payments from the customers.

What is the problem?

Appointments are booked online with us, and if you want a voluntary PCR test for a trip, for example, you pay for it online in advance.

For us it is best to do the same for the new citizen tests with additional payment, so you pay the three euros online when you book the appointment.

There are no cash registers on site that have to be settled every evening, and digital bookings also ensure a high level of security against misuse and counterfeiting.

We would like to stick with the solution.

However, with the new regulation, we could now encounter difficulties in implementing it.

Older people who had previously received a free test would now have to pay for it digitally from us, but they may not know how it works.

However, if test centers accept cash payments, abuse is wide open again.

The number of infections is rising again, but recently it seemed as if many wanted to take a mental break from Corona.

Has less testing been done?

Yes, the utilization was significantly lower than in spring when corona measures were still in place.

We've had a 300 percent increase in rapid and PCR testing over the past six weeks, but that's still at the low end of capacity.

The positive rate for the rapid tests is currently 18 percent, and for the PCR tests it is over 70 percent.

These are absolute highs and we are in the summer.

How do you see the Corona autumn, what is your prognosis?

I think there will be a lot more testing again in the fall.

In the first two years of Corona, the numbers always increased in autumn, this year it will be the same, but starting from a significantly higher infection level in summer.

We aim to move away from the concept of test centers and quick tests.

How should it go instead?

On-site test centers are expensive and time-consuming, you have to rent rooms and hire staff.

We can't find enough employees anyway, because many can go back to their old jobs in gastronomy or in the event sector.

I imagine that with good logistics and a central laboratory you can be on the road much better.

We are working on such a model where citizens can have their PCR test kit sent to their home or pick it up at a supermarket or gas station.

The sample is then sent to us via certain drop boxes or by post and we evaluate it centrally.

There is already a similar model in Vienna.

We are planning this for Germany and can then offer PCR tests at the price of citizen tests.

If everything goes well, it can start in the fall.