Dutch citizens who have to go to Germany for work, care or education can now have a corona test taken free of charge. Via the website grenstesten.nl, residents can register for the free corona test, which will eventually be offered in more than 20 municipalities in the five eastern provinces. With this, the Dutch government wants to meet residents in the border region, because many of them are now faced with substantial and unexpected extra expenditure due to the mandatory negative corona statement from the German government.
Free corona tests for three target groups
For several weeks, Dutch people who make a necessary visit to Germany must be able to submit a negative corona test. This obligation affects a number of target groups in the border region hard. Border workers who live in the Netherlands but work in Germany must have themselves tested several times a week at their own expense to be able to go to work. But Dutch residents who provide (informal) care or receive care in Germany were also faced with unexpected extra expenses due to the obligation of the German government. People who live in the Netherlands, but follow physical education in Germany, cannot escape this obligation either. The cabinet has therefore decided to offer free corona tests for these three target groups.
Free test locations in Dutch border municipalities
In many municipalities along the border with Germany, therefore, there will be access to test locations where free tests are offered for necessary border traffic from the Netherlands to Germany. To get these test locations off the ground quickly, the government is working together with municipalities and any existing test locations. The cabinet has earmarked 12 million euros for border tests, for which approximately 30 free corona tests can be purchased until 2021 June 400.000. As soon as the compulsory test of the German government expires, the free border test also expires. In order to ensure that the free border tests are actually used for necessary border traffic in the coming period, residents must visit the website bordertesting.nl answer some short questions.
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