"Those who are immune can then be given a vaccination certificate that would, for example, allow them to be exempt from any [lockdown-related] restrictions on their work," said Gerard Krause, the epidemiologist leading the project.
Researchers will get a better idea of how many people have contracted the virus, with indications in Germany and elsewhere that large proportions of the population may have contracted it without knowing.
The test is also an improvement on existing blood tests which would indicate a degree of immunity to coronaviruses, but not specifically to Covid-19.
Final approval has yet to be given to the project but it is expected to go ahead in April, with the first wave of results ready by the end of the month.
Despite having the fifth highest number of infected cases anywhere in the world, Germany has one of the lowest death rates - which has been at least in part credited to the Government's proactive testing regime.
A German military plane yesterday took patients from eastern France, one of the worst-hit areas in the country, to Germany. A small group of patients from eastern France and Lombardy, in northern Italy, are already being treated in Germany.
The Government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has seen a surge in public support for Merkel, who has experienced a boost in the polls since the outbreak started.
Her approval is between 32 and 35 per cent - a 6 to 7 per cent increase on ratings before the pandemic hit.
Support for Merkel's governing CDU-SPD coalition has also risen, while the standing of the far-Right Alternative for Germany party has fallen below 10 per cent in recent days.
Polling released yesterday shows the governing coalition is enjoying a majority for the first time since June 2018.
