The German government will stop offering free coronavirus tests from 11 October in a bid to encourage more people to get vaccinated amid concerns about a rise in new cases, sources close to talks with the federal states have said.
Less than seven weeks before a federal election, Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders of the 16 federal states met today to discuss measures to avoid a new wave of infections, driven by the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant, and avert unpopular restrictions.
They agreed to end free testing for all except those for whom vaccination is not recommended, such as children and pregnant women, the sources said.