Courtesy Translation: Federal press release after the federal-state summit

Courtesy Photo | Icon to accompany courtesy translations of federal press releases  

WIESBADEN, HE, GERMANY

04.27.2021

Story by Nadine Bower 

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden   

Press Release from the Federal German Government from 26 APR 2021
Courtesy Translation: Nadine Bower, Public Affairs USAG Wiesbaden

"The aim is to return to the well-known way of life as soon as possible"

The federal and state governments want to cancel the vaccination prioritization by June at the latest. In addition, reliefs for vaccinated and recovered individuals are planned. For example, they should no longer have to present a negative test when shopping or going to the hairdresser.

Cancellation of vaccination prioritization in June

The federal and state governments discussed on Monday that the prioritizations for Corona vaccinations should be lifted by June at the latest. In many federal states, priority groups 1 and 2 have already been vaccinated, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She assumes that people from prioritization group 3 will receive their first vaccination dose during the month of May. Therefore, the vaccination order could be abandoned in June. "That doesn't mean that everyone can be vaccinated immediately. But by then, everyone can try to get a vaccination date," Merkel said after the meeting. Starting in June, family doctors should also step up their involvement in the vaccination campaign.

In principle, by the end of the summer, anyone who wants to get vaccinated should also receive an offer. "This, of course, requires that the vaccines are effective, i.e. that there are no mutations which makes the vaccines no longer effective. However, with the number of vaccines we have been promised, we can offer everyone a vaccine by the end of the summer," she said.

In addition, the federal and state governments talked about less restrictions for vaccinated and recovered individuals. "Recovered individuals must be treated just like vaccinated individuals, if either the disease is not more than six months ago or if the recovered individuals have one vaccination dose plus 14 days for the development of the immune protection. That is when recovered individuals can be treated the same way as vaccinated individuals," Merkel said. For example, they should not have to submit negative corona tests when shopping or visiting a hairdresser. The Chancellor: "It is clear that where rapid tests are expected as access authorization, vaccinated people and recovered people do not have to present these tests." The mandatory quarantine after entry from abroad should also be abolished for the vaccinated. The aim is to return to the well-known way of life as soon as possible – "but this will not happen so quickly".

Vaccinated, recovered, tested - the differences

Vaccinated persons are those who, in accordance with the recommendations of the Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO), have full vaccination protection with vaccines approved by the European Union. This means one or two vaccinations, depending on the vaccine. These must be 14 days in the past. The proof must be presented digitally or analog.

Recovered persons are those who can present a positive PCR test result from at least 28 days ago. This is valid for up to six months, because it is possible to assume sufficient immune protection for this long. Important: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is not sufficient to make a reliable statement about immunity as of right now.

Tested persons are those who have been identified as being tested by a negative PCR test or a negative (antigen) rapid test by trained personnel or whose negative self-test has been monitored by trained personnel.

According to current knowledge, vaccinated people and recovered persons have a lower risk of infecting other people. Nevertheless, the rules still apply, such as wearing a mask, keeping distance and hygiene requirements.

Source: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/erleichterungen-fuer-geimpfte-genesene-getestete-1897760

• Date Taken: 04.27.2021
• Date Posted: 04.27.2021 07:22
• Story ID: 394852
• Location: WIESBADEN, HE, DE