Berlin: Germany wants to end the free Coronavirus test in October, the RND newspaper group reported on Monday, quoting a draft proposal to be discussed by Chancellor Angela Merkel and 16 state leaders.
The government made a free test for all in March to make a gradual return to normal life after locking to break the third wave of Covid-19.
But with 55% of the fully vaccinated population there has been a call to stop taxpayer money for subsidized schemes which now primarily benefit those who have not been vaccinated even though vaccines are available for all.
“Given that all vaccinations are immediately available for all citizens, it can no longer be justified that the federal government and therefore taxpayers includes the cost of all tests,” RND was quoted from the concept of the proposal.
Less than seven weeks before the federal, Merkel and state leaders will discuss the steps to continue to increase new infections driven by the Delta variant in the examination without institutionalizing lockdown.
The draft stipulates that people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons such as women and children of pregnancy under 18 years will continue to be entitled to subsidized tests.
The exact date in October to limit the program has not been created, RND added.
Germany has recorded more than 3,000 cases in each of the last five days but with almost 63% of the population has received at least one government shot hoping to be locked can be avoided.