Berlin, July 28 (RHC)-- Travellers returning to Germany from areas that are currently high risk for the novel coronavirus are to be compulsorily tested in future, Health Minister Jens Spahn said.

Spahn told DPA news agency that he would make use of his powers to "impose an obligation to test for those arriving from high-risk areas amid reports of a rising number of cases in traditional German summer holiday destinations. The tests will be free of charge.”

"We have to prevent those returning from abroad from infecting others and releasing a fresh chain of infections," Spahn added.  Voluntary testing has been available at several German airports since the weekend.