Test strategy needs incentives: half-hearted regulation is also wrong


Test strategy needs incentives
Half-hearted regulation is also wrong

A comment by Ulrich Reitz

The federal government obliges employers to offer employees corona tests at least once a week. The idea makes sense. But as it has now been decided, the measure has not been thought through to the end.

For weeks there was eager discussion and wrestling about compulsory testing for companies. Business associations opposed this. Again and again new numbers, surveys and forecasts were brought into the field. And now this: Those who cannot work from home should receive a corona test from their employer at least once a week. Sounds good. But jump too short. Because whether the test is actually used is not regulated. It is a mandatory offer to employees – nothing more. When tests disappear unused in the drawer or are not asked for at all? There are no consequences.

Once again, politicians are proving that they are initiating seemingly powerful measures to fight the coronavirus. But whether they also achieve the desired effect, the politically responsible do not seem to have thought through to the end, even with this project.

If you are serious about tracking down those infected and threatened by Corona, you should have created incentives for employees to carry out the tests when they go from home office back to the office or to the company. This incentive has long been available for visits to the hairdresser or cosmetics – and it also has an effect.

The half-hearted and one-sided regulation gives the impression that it is entirely up to employers to identify infected employees and thus prevent the spread. Not correct! The previous line of politics in testing and vaccination relies on the personal responsibility of each individual. That makes more sense than compulsory testing or vaccination. But voluntariness needs incentives. Those who live up to their responsibility to get tested and vaccinated should then be able to return to normal in their free time and at work. But the government shies away from that.

Politics is once again putting a strain on companies weakened by the pandemic and lockdowns. And creates a mess. The one-sided employer obligation to offer rapid tests does not contain a sustainable pandemic fight.

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