“If everyone has a chance to get fully vaccinated by the end of summer, it is fair that the unvaccinated should have to pay for rapid or PCR tests for themselves when going on holiday, going to restaurants or going to the cinema,” Reinhardt told the German Editorial Network.
“In the end, it shouldn’t be the case that the community has to pay for individuals who are unwilling to get vaccinated,” he added.
To ensure that people understand the benefits of vaccination, Reinhardt believes politicians should make clear “that in the long run there will be more and more disadvantages for unvaccinated people”.
‘A question of fairness’
The Federal Government’s Tourism Commissioner, Thomas Bareiß (CDU), also sees the end of free coronavirus tests for those unwilling to vaccinate as “a question of fairness”.
Until now, the cost of the free rapid tests – or PCR tests for those with symptoms – have been paid for by the taxpayer.
Bareiß said on Wednesday that the state-subsidised tests should continue until everyone received a vaccination offer.
READ ALSO: Will Germany charge unvaccinated people for Covid tests in future?
It is also clear, however, that those who refuse to vaccinate have to be aware of their responsibility and in future should bear the costs of any tests that are still necessary for socialising, travelling or attending events, he added.
German government targets ‘undecided’
With the vaccination campaign slowing down at present, politicians on both a federal and state level are now attempting to target people who are still on the fence about vaccination.
READ MORE: ‘We need more advertising’: Germany moves focus of vaccine drive to target the undecided
Speaking alongside Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) on Tuesday, Chancellor Merkel said the country had reached a situation where there were more vaccines than people willing to be vaccinated.
While the government is currently ruling out any kind of mandatory vaccination scheme, phasing out the free tests – and asking the unvaccinated to pay for their own – could potentially be on the cards for autumn, according to Spahn.
Meanwhile, state governments are taking the matter into their own hands, with drive-through vaccination clinics and pop-up centres in swimming pools, supermarkets and even takeaway restaurants.
In Bavaria, state premier Markus Söder said this week that he wanted to bring in vaccinated-only clubs and nightlife in autumn. Söder, who launched a failed bid to succeed Merkel earlier this year, has previously spoken out in favour of paid-for tests for the unvaccinated.
READ MORE: Bavaria mulls reopening clubs – but only for the vaccinated
As of Wednesday, 58.9 percent of the population had received at least one dose, while 43.7 percent were fully immunised.
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People who choose to stay unsafe (especially towards others) and not vaccinate should pay for testing and be excluded from certain situations etc. (We can put these people in the same box as the idiots who text when driving).
People who have a genuine medical condition that does not allow them to be vaccinated are not in the same category, of course.
Stay well x
One of my work colleagues is severely sick after his second jab. Another friend has developed chronic fatigue which is very limiting to him. Two kids died after the jab, recently the BBC reporter died after a jab (search it, it is public). Do not dare to force a non-licensed drug on others. If you are scared of the covid, jab yourself and you will be protected. Leave the rest decide for themselves.
Let’s take this a step further. Anyone who continues to consume animal products, consciously contributing to the climate crisis and the systematic and barbaric exploitation of sentient beings as well as those who do not exercise should also be penalized. Why should those of us who choose to live ethically subsidize those who does not.
If the government starts doing such non-sense, I want to see how many will continue voting for them or paying taxes to feed them.
Are they insane? It is a non-licensed product and not to mention that our health is a private matter and each person should decide their own risk-benefit with their doctor. Who is the government to tell us what vaccine or what medication will be good for me. Is the government assuming accountability for death or damage from these jabs, no matter how rare they may be, the jabs have risk which each person should decide about, because it is your life and you will carry on with the burden at the end. It is a personal decision. We are people not herd. I am fed up of threats on limiting our civil rights. Does the government know who pays them to be where they are? I hope this non-sense ends soon.. This is our health and not a political campaign.