German Leaders Agree More Testing Needed For The Unvaccinated

People not vaccinated against the coronavirus in Germany will have to provide proof of a negative test more often, government officials agreed earlier in the week, as Germany tries to fend off a fourth wave of cases, Andrew McCathie reported for Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa).

Photo Insert: Germany is attempting to motivate more people to get vaccinated.

People who have neither been vaccinated nor developed natural immunity after fighting off infection will soon require proof of a negative coronavirus test to enter restaurants, visit a hairdresser or go to a fitness club, for example. The same will apply to people who want to visit hospitals and centers for the disabled or elderly.

The changes are expected to come into force this month already and are designed to motivate more people to seek vaccination, as Germany's vaccination rate stagnates and worries mount that a new wave of the coronavirus is about to crash down on Germany.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged people to take up offers of COVID-19 vaccinations in view of rising infection numbers. There is now enough vaccine, Merkel said on Tuesday after consultations with the country's 16 federal state premiers.

In this way, everyone would protect themselves, but also those who could not be vaccinated. This was "a contribution to the community," she said.

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