Within the European Union there is no consensus on rapid tests, because some countries are already using them for mass tests, while others doubt their reliability. The only thing in common is that a negative antigen result does not make entry easier. That should change - according to the will of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

First, uniform quality standards must be created. On this basis, the Commission wants to enforce that the EU members have to recognize this mutually. This is a first but important step so that antigen findings in travel can be equated with PCR results.

According to Ursula von der Leyen, it is crucial that the test kits work correctly in "at least" four out of five infected people. Uniform quality guidelines are to be created on the basis of this requirement, because there are currently many different kits that have not yet been evaluated and some of the results are not even recognized in Germany. The EU Commission now wants to evaluate the offers at its own expense and thus ensure uniform quality guidelines.

The governing body of the European Union already appointed in ghuge amount of rapid teststhat are explicitly intended for travel. However, numerous EU countries, including Germany to the end, are resisting the mission. In the Federal Republic of Germany, however, there are signs of a cautious rethinking, because one wants to take a closer look at the test strategies of the travel industry and evaluate whether one possibly easier entry can grant.

The airline industry has high hopes that rapid antigen tests, which are carried out before departure or overland at the border crossing, will make entry easier. Those who test negative should be allowed to travel and not have to go into quarantine. Anyone who is positive should not be allowed to join at all. Politicians still have considerable doubts, but the EU Commission wants to equate rapid tests with PCR tests, so that the industry's solutions would have a realistic chance.

However, Ursula von der Leyen did not name a schedule and pointed out that the test kits must first be evaluated. In the next step there are then uniform quality guidelines. Only when these two steps have been taken are the prospects of an agreement among the EU heads of government realistic.