Berlin couple describes corona test chaos after returning to Malle in practice

Sun, beach and sea – the 14-day vacation of a Berlin couple on Mallorca went wonderfully and without incident, although the holiday island has been a risk area since mid-August due to the increasing corona numbers. "Dealing with the crisis on the island is exemplary – regardless of whether in restaurants or shops, everyone is wearing masks and the distance is maintained," says Andreas H. in FOCUS Online. "We have an apartment on Mallorca and feel safer than there with us, ”says the vacationer.

It wasn't until the couple returned that their problems began. Because your return flight from Mallorca landed in Berlin-Schönefeld at 10.30 p.m., the Corona test center at the airport was already closed. However, a test has been mandatory for travelers returning from risk areas since August 8th.

Test appointment organized in advance

That is why Andreas H. had a test appointment with a resident doctor organized in advance through the company doctor of the company in which he works. When the couple arrived the next morning at 7:30 a.m. as agreed, the practice was still closed. "We thought that this was planned so that we should come before the practice so that we as returnees from a risk area would not come into contact with other patients," said the vacationer. But the two stopped in front of the locked door for the time being.

It was only when Andreas H. phoned the company doctor again that it turned out that the said doctor's practice actually didn't want to carry out any more tests. After some back and forth, the resident doctor nevertheless decided to carry out a corona test on both of them.

Queuing at reception and full waiting room

What happened then is hard to believe. Instead of waiting in front of the door or being taken to a separate room, the two who were in quarantine at the time had to stand in line at reception – just like any other regular patient. "Of course everyone was wearing masks, but we could hardly believe that the practice staff, who already knew our case, asked us to queue up at reception like everyone else."

But it got even worse. “After the registration it was said that we should take a seat in the waiting room,” he says. “We were sitting in a full waiting room with other patients with the windows closed,” the vacationer said indignantly. "It took an hour until we were finally called."

Doctor did not wear a mask

In the doctor's office, the next outrage: "We were told that we should sit down at a distance," says the returnee from Mallorca. “I didn't understand why we had to do that, but what was worse was that the doctor came in without a mask”. She tore open all the windows, but stayed in the room without mouth and nose protection the whole time. “She asked us questions and criticized us for being in a risk area,” says Andreas H., who had already booked the flights before Mallorca became a risk area.

Instead of isolating the two in their practice and taking the test, she sent the couple back to the waiting room. "In practice, nobody was interested in the fact that we were in quarantine," says Andreas H. indignantly.

Laboratory worker in full protective gear

When the couple was finally called to the practice laboratory for a test, safety suddenly seemed to play a role after all. "The employees who carried out the test stood there in full protective suits with masks and glasses," says Andreas H., describing the situation.

The fact that the virus could have spread to others in the waiting room or through the doctor in the consulting room, who was not wearing a mask, apparently did not interest any employee of the practice – including the doctor. Thankfully, the couple did not pose a threat to others: "We received our test results just a day later: they were negative".