COVID testing policies in different countries vary extensively, from the public not having access to basic rapid testing to comparatively more social examples where people are able to have free PCR testing on a regular basis. Germany’s testing policy lies somewhere in between, which, in the typical fashion of a failing welfare state, aims to bring a social service to its citizens not through direct intervention but by supposedly creating a second, outsourced economy. Instead of providing free at-home testing or free PCR tests at subsidized labs, the German government decided to create an incentivized funding scheme for small businesses to convert their storefronts into Schnelltest (rapid test) centers. In doing so, the government also resigns from its responsibility of supporting small businesses in recovering their losses due to COVID lockdowns.
The previous function of these small shops and restaurants is still visible under the layer of COVID test banners, where you see advertisements for a kebab sandwich, bakery products, Spätis (Berlin’s open till late shops), or solarium services. In addition to these converted spaces, entrepreneurs started new businesses by creating testing sites with minibusses parked on the street or simply built tents. Moreover, the Schnelltest centers undertake secondary roles that the government again outsources to them, like accommodating easy accessibility to various demographics of the city through providing translation and other services along the way. -Publisher
