Corona PCR & Antigen Rapid Tests

PCR-Tests tests are the most reliable test method for detecting a Corona infection because they are particularly sensitive. That is, they can detect even small amounts of the virus, or more precisely, they detect the genetic material of the virus. Samples are taken by persons who have the necessary training or knowledge and experience and who have been instructed in the medical device to be used. The subsequent evaluation of the samples is carried out by laboratories.

Antigen rapid tests have their name because the result is available quickly. They can also be evaluated on site. They are performed by trained personnel. Similar to the PCR test, a nasal and/or throat swab is taken. Viral proteins are detected in the process.

Rapid antigen tests are also used in care facilities, hospitals or schools to regularly test staff or residents as a precautionary measure. Certain groups of people are entitled to free citizen testing..

PCR testing procedures are regularly checked to ensure that the tests reliably detect all circulating coronavirus variants.

The Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) has conducted laboratory studies to determine whether rapid antigen tests also detect the omicron variant. So far, there have been no indications of poorer detection of the omicron variant.

Access to hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes and similar facilities has been regulated by the federal government in the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) for visitors, operators, employees and volunteers since October 1, 2022.

Visitors to these facilities are only allowed to enter them if they present proof of testing. Therapeutic day care centers do not count as such facilities according to the 17th BayIfSMV.

Operators and employees of these facilities and employees of outpatient care services working in care are not required to provide proof of testing every working day, but only three times a week.

This testing requirement also applies to vaccinated and recovered persons, but vaccinated and recovered employees only need proof of testing twice a week.

Children up to their sixth birthday and children not yet enrolled in school are exempt from the test requirement.

Accompanying the dying is permitted at any time.

Children up to their sixth birthday and children not yet enrolled in school are exempt from the test requirement.

Yes. In principle, people aged 3 and older may be tested at a rapid testing center. Parents must accompany children under 14 to the appointment. Children over the age of 14 may book a test and attend the appointment independently with a letter of consent from their parent or guardian.

As of Nov. 15, 2022, there is no longer a mandatory isolation requirement for people who test positive for SARS-CoV-2. With the discontinuation of mandatory isolation, people are now are now encouraged to take more personal responsibility!

Which obligatory protective measures apply to positively tested persons?

All persons who have a positive swab test result for SARS-CoV-2 (nucleic acid test, e.g. PCR test, or antigen test, in each case carried out or monitored by a medical (e.g., PCR test, or antigen test, in each case performed or monitored by a healthcare professional or a comparable person trained for this purpose). obliged to comply with appropriate protective measures.In the event of a positive antigen test or test, the performance of a nucleic acid test (e.g. PCR test) to confirm the infection is recommended. infection is recommended.

Start and end of protective measures

• The protective measures apply from the time when the person tested positive becomes aware of of the positive test result.
• The protective measures end at the earliest five days after the initial detection of the pathogen. detection of the pathogen, provided that there have been no signs of illness for at least 48 hours (symptom-free).
• If the disease has not been symptom-free for 48 hours on day five, the protective measures will protective measures continue for the time being. They only end when the patient has been symptom-free for at least 48 hours symptoms for at least 48 hours, but at the latest ten days after the initial detection of the of the pathogen.
• In the case of a positive antigen test, a nucleic acid test for SARS-CoV-2 (usually PCR test) is recommended for confirmation. If the result of this nucleic acid test is negative, the protective measures end with the presence of the protective measures end with the availability of the test result.

Mandatory masking

• For persons tested positive, it is obligatory to wear at least one medical face mask ("surgical mask") outside their own home. An even higher FFP2 masks offer even greater safety. The dwelling also includes in particular the garden the garden, terrace and balcony belonging to the apartment.

• There are exceptions: The mask requirement does not apply
  • in the open air, if a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from other persons can be maintained,
  • indoors, where no other persons are present,
  • for children up to their sixth birthday
  • for persons who are unable to wear a mask due to a disability or for health reasons.
    are unable to wear a mask due to a disability or health reasons (medical certificate required),
  • for deaf and hard of hearing persons and their accompanying persons,
    as long as it is necessary for identification purposes or for communication
    with people who are hearing impaired
  • and for other compelling requirements,
    e.g. in the case of a necessary (dental) medical or necessary (dental) medical or therapeutic treatment

Prohibition of entry and activity

• In facilities such as old people's homes and nursing homes or in certain areas of hospitals where patients with special risks of a severe course of a SARS-CoV-2 infection are cared for, the entry of infections must be prevented. Therefore, a ban on entry and a ban on occupational activities for employees who have tested positive, for visitors, volunteers and operators apply there.

• Similarly, employees, operators, volunteers and visitors who test positive are banned from entering or working in mass accommodation facilities where there is a high risk of infections spreading, such as shelters for the homeless, communal facilities for asylum seekers and prisons.

• The following are exempt from the ban on entry and activity
  
  • curative day care centers and
  • Operators, employees, and volunteers of hospitals and preventive care or rehabilitation facilities where medical care comparable to hospitals is provided, of fully and partially inpatient facilities for the accommodation and care of disabled persons, as well as of rescue services and civil defense and disaster control facilities who are deployed in areas without persons who, due to their age or health condition, have an increased risk of a severe or fatal course of a COVID-19 disease (vulnerable persons). The areas without vulnerable persons are to be designated by the facilities concerned in their hygiene plans and made known to the employees

In hospitals, nursing homes, homes for the elderly and similar facilities, visitors, operators, employees and volunteers are only allowed to enter these facilities if they are tested persons within the meaning of Section 2 No. 6 of the COVID 19 Protective Measures Exemption Ordinance (SchAusnahmV) and carry a test certificate.

This testing requirement also applies here to vaccinated and recovered persons.

The CoronaEinreiseV provides for obligations during and after entry from a virus variant area into the Federal Republic of Germany. The following obligations are regulated in the CoronaEinreiseV:

• Obligation to register (digital entry registration)
• Obligation to segregate
• Obligation to provide proof (negative PCR test result)
• Prohibition of carriage and further obligations for carriers, transport companies and mobile network operators

Detailed information can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.

a) Passengers wishing to travel from Germany to China must present a negative RT-PCR test result (nasopharyngeal swab) from January 8, 2023. The test must be performed within 48h before departure time to China and can be from an officially recognized testing center.

The Chinese missions abroad in Germany have not designated or commissioned any specific test centers. Passengers may have the PCR test performed at any officially recognized testing center.

Passengers with negative test results are allowed to travel to China. If the test result is positive, passengers are not allowed to depart until the test result is negative.

Munichtest.de is a test center recognized by the City of Munich and the PCR tests are performed according to the required RT-PCR method.

Our PCR test certificate meets all the requirements demanded by China see also under the heading "PCR Test"). The sample is tested by Real-Time Fluorescence Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (MA-688 RT-PCR Fluorescence Quantitative Analyser).

b) All passengers traveling to China should record their PCR test result in the health declaration of China Customs. This can be done via WeChat, website https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn as well as app of the customs office.

The health code (green QR code) is no longer required.

c) Quarantine is no longer required for entry into China as well as onward travel in China.

All persons entering the PRC from abroad, regardless of nationality and regardless of any vaccination or recovery, will be subject to routine infection control at the initial point of arrival. Passengers whose health declaration and inspection results are unremarkable will be allowed to continue their journey to their destination without restrictions. Passengers with abnormalities must undergo a rapid test. If the test result is positive, passengers who have no or only mild symptoms and no serious previous illness may enter domestic quarantine.

Other infection control measures for movements of foreigners within China are handled very differently and inconsistently in the provinces, cities, urban and residential districts; they are regularly subject to short-term changes and adjustments.

All "Non-Hong Kong Residents" over the age of 12 must be vaccinated upon entry from third countries.

In addition, as of December 29, 2022, the following requirements apply to entry into Hong Kong:

All entrants who are at least three years old on the day of arrival in Hong Kong must provide proof of a negative PCR test (within 48 hours before departure) or a negative rapid test (within 24 hours before departure). If entering by land, the arrival time at the border applies. A photo of the test result should be kept for 90 days or can be uploaded voluntarily via the "Health Declaration Form" https://www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/)

We recommend having a PCR test done prior to travel as antigen tests are often not accepted. Especially when leaving Hong Kong for China, a PCR test is necessary.

All persons entering the country must pass temperature checks upon arrival. Those found to have symptoms will be referred to the Department of Health for further treatment.

a) Travelers who are not triple-vaccinated with Japan-approved vaccines must provide a negative PCR test evidence must provide a negative PCR test evidence within 72 hours prior to departure from the country (departure time of your flight).

The 72-hour period applies from the time the test is taken (swabbed) to the departure time of the flight.

For transit flights, the time of the first airport (=first departure) applies.

Attention:a negative antigen rapid test is not sufficient...

b) In addition to the PCR test certificate, the so-called PCR test certificate is required for entry into Japan. Without this form, you may face considerable difficulties when entering Japan.

If you have a PCR test performed at Munichtest.de you will receive the Japan certificate in addition to the PCR test certificate upon PCR test certificate. Both certificates will be sent by email.

Infants: The Japanese government generally requires that infants take a PCR test and provide a test certificate.

c) Upon arrival in Japan, a questionnaire must be submitted to the appropriate officials. Personal information can be entered directly via online questionnaire (Web Questionnaire https://arqs-qa.followup.mhlw.go.jp/#/) and a QR code will be provided. This code is then presented to the officials upon arrival in Japan.

Attention:Although it is not mandatory to enter the information in the online questionnaire, some airlines require passengers to present the above QR code upon departure in order to go through the boarding procedure.

d)Visit Japan Web is used to digitally upload all required documents for entry to facilitate the procedure. This is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.

For more information, see HERE (https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/en/#news)

Visit Japan Web: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/

Children up to 12 years of age can register with their legal guardians, provided they enter Japan together with their legal guardians. Children 13 years and older should register themselves with their own smartphone.

No, a positive result from a PCR test, PoC-NAAT test, or other nucleic acid amplification technique is required for issuance.

Antibody evidence is not sufficient to be considered a recovered person or recovered person.

A convalescent certificate according to Section 22a (2) IfSG will only be issued upon presentation of a positive PCR test, PoC-NAAT test, other method of nucleic acid amplification technique, if the testing was performed at least 28 days and not more than 90 days ago.

However, detection of survived Corona infection by antibody testing is important for individuals who do not have a PCR test available as evidence. If a person can show a specific positive antibody test carried out on him/her and if this antibody test was carried out at a time when the person concerned had not yet received an individual vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 corona virus, this person already receives full vaccination protection with one vaccination dose (cf. Section 22a (1) IfSG). Since October 1, a second single vaccination is additionally required for this purpose.  

What are antibody tests used for?

By means of antibody tests (serological diagnostics) a passed SARS-CoV-2 infection can be detected. The time of infection cannot be determined by serological diagnostics. Most SARS-CoV-2 antibody detections are now so reliable that they are now suitable in principle for detecting a condition following SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, antibody tests are not yet considered reliable evidence to be considered a recovered or recovered person, or for a vaccination certificate as a fully vaccinated person, for several reasons. The gold standard for detection of infection remains direct SARS-CoV-2 detection by PCR testing.

No, PCR tests are the gold standard of diagnostics due to their high reliability and continue to be part of the testing strategy. The National Testing Strategy specifies in which situations PCR testing is appropriate immediately and in which situations rapid antigen testing can be used as a pre-test, confirmation or as a free test. As a general rule, PCR confirmation should first be preceded by a properly performed, high-quality SARS-CoV-2 antigen test.

In the case of a negative test result, no data are transmitted or passed on.

In the case of a positive test result, Munichtest.de is obliged to report this result to the responsible health authority. The report must be made immediately and must be received by the health department within 24 hours. Information such as the name, address and contact details of the person concerned are transmitted so that the health department can contact the person and take the necessary measures. The responsible health offices transmit the information on COVID-19 cases electronically to the responsible state authorities and from there to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), but without the name, place of residence and contact details of the person concerned.

Symptomatische Personen können bei Munichtest.de einen Antigen-Test ab 9 € oder einen kostenpflichtigen PCR-Test durchführen lassen.

Free tests can only be arranged by medical institutions for symptomatic persons.