Germany brings back free Covid-19 tests as leaders warn of bleak situation

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Germany will reintroduce free Covid-19 tests from Saturday, according to the country's acting health minister Jens Spahn, as part of measures to hit the brakes on a wave of Covid-19 cases.

The free tests, which were first offered from March as a way to offset a slow vaccine rollout, are being reinstated one month after they were allowed to run out, as the infection rate has hit a record for a fifth day running.

Spahn also said that he supported a stricter requirement that would mean people who are vaccinated and/or recovered must provide a negative coronavirus test to attend public events as well as others.

Read more from Reuters here.

A person gets tested for the coronavirus in Darmstadt, Germany, May 18. — Reuters/File
A person gets tested for the coronavirus in Darmstadt, Germany, May 18. — Reuters/File

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