Amid fears of summer travel prompting a second wave of coronavirus infections in Germany, health ministers have agreed to offer free coronavirus tests to returning travellers at all German airports. 

Testing for returning travellers from risk countries

“Those returning from risk countries should be tested, and those returning from non-risk countries will also have the option,” said Dilek Kalayci, Health Minister for Berlin, following a meeting between federal and state health ministers that agreed upon the new measures. 

She said that the cost of the tests would be covered by health insurance companies. Initially, they would not be mandatory, but anyone arriving from a risk area who refuses a test will be forced to quarantine at home for 14 days. Anyone who tests positive will also have to quarantine. 

Tests available at all airports in Germany

The tests will be offered at airports so that travellers returning from risk zones can be tested as soon as they land. Those returning from non-risk countries will not be tested at the airport but will be able to get a free coronavirus test from their local health authority, according to Kalayci. 

The scheme follows others set up in airports in Frankfurt, Cologne / Bonn and Munich to provide free tests to returning travellers.