In view of the still ongoing coronavirus pandemic, sick leave for mild cold-related complaints can still be issued in Germany until the end of the year after a telephone consultation, without having to see a doctor. The special regulation on this matter will again be extended by three months to December 31. This was decided by the Joint Federal Commission of Physicians, Health Insurance Funds and Hospitals. The aim is to limit contact and minimize the risk of infection because of the delta variant, which is transmitted more easily than other variants of the coronavirus, and because the vaccination campaign has slowed down.
Sick leave that can currently be obtained when contacting a doctor by telephone can last up to seven days and can be extended for another seven calendar days, including by telephone. Doctors must personally convince themselves of patients’ health status by conducting a “detailed telephone interview.”
Source: www.tagesschau.de