SpiFa supports the revised testing strategy of the federal government and the federal states

31.08.2020 11:50

The umbrella association of specialist doctors in Germany (SpiFa) very much welcomes the fact that the previous strategy of testing asymptomatic people after entry from non-risk areas has been abandoned.

On August 27th, 2020, the Chancellor and the heads of government of the federal states agreed that the possibility of free testing for those arriving from non-risk areas will end on September 15th at the end of the summer holidays.

At SpiFa, the testing of asymptomatic people met with clear criticism because it violated the basic medical rule not to use diagnostic procedures without appropriate reasons. The SpiFa e. V. therefore expressly welcomes the decision by the Chancellor and the heads of government of the federal states on corona testing. “There is also a growing realization in politics that 'more' is not always better. The decision represents a paradigm shift in the testing strategy of the federal government and the federal states. We expressly support that testing will now be carried out again on an ad hoc basis and that free testing at the expense of health insurance companies will be abandoned for everyone. We must be careful with testing resources and laboratory capacity. This is the only way to ensure that corona tests remain manageable, that chains of infection are really tracked and that those who really need tests can get them quickly,” says Dr. med. Dirk Heinrich, CEO of SpiFa.

The SpiFa still considers it reasonable that returning holidaymakers from risk areas, who have chosen to stay abroad voluntarily, also have to pay for the costs of the test.