Courtesy Translation: Hessen state government tightens corona protection ordinance

Courtesy Photo | Icon to accompany courtesy translations from the state of Hessen  

WIESBADEN, HE, GERMANY

12.01.2021

Story by Nadine Bower 

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden   

Press Release from the Hessen State Government from 30 NOV 2021
Courtesy Translation: Nadine Bower, Public Affairs Specialist

Hessen state government tightens corona protection ordinance

The Hessen state government tightened the current Corona Protection Ordinance today again and decided on further restrictions in the fight against the Corona pandemic. "We are reacting to the very serious situation and are doing everything in our power as a state government to break the fourth wave," said Hessen Minister President Volker Bouffier on Tuesday in Wiesbaden.

"Leading virologists and experts from the Leopoldina Academy are currently calling for urgent contact restrictions in order to contain the pandemic," said the head of government. "At the same time, we have a very tense situation in the hospitals and especially in the intensive care units," added Social Affairs Minister Kai Klose. "We have therefore decided on new measures within the framework of what we as the state government can do on the basis of the current legal situation," Bouffier stressed.

In addition, the state government is aiming for a resolution in the Hessen state parliament for the coming week in accordance with § 28a section 8 of the Infection Protection Act, which would make it possible to take additional measures as far as and as long as there is a concrete risk of the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hessen. "We need such a decision in order to be prepared if the situation deteriorates even further," said the Minister President.

The state government is very concerned about the development of the new Omikron virus variant and the high incidences in some surrounding countries. "We now want to do our utmost to prevent waves of infection from spilling over to us from our neighboring countries in the south or east," the head of government stressed.

The new regulations were primarily aimed at reducing contacts, for example through contact restrictions for the unvaccinated or stricter 2G rules, Bouffier explained.

These new regulations of the Corona Protection Ordinance will apply starting Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021:

- Contact restrictions for the unvaccinated: From now on, a maximum of 2 households may meet in public space, this is also considered a recommendation for private space.
- Introduction of 2G in retail stores outside the supply of basic goods. The basic services include, for example, supermarkets, drugstores and pharmacies.
- The 2G+ option is deleted: It is no longer possible for operators of restaurants, movie theaters, theaters or discotheques, for example, to completely dispense with distance regulations and mask requirements if they only admit vaccinated or recovered individuals with an additional daily rapid test.
- Young people up to the age of 18 will continue to have access to facilities and events where 2G applies due to the fact that they are tested in schools regularly. However, this regulation is to expire as soon as a comprehensive range of vaccinations is also available for this age group.
- Vaccinated and recovered students will now receive an offer to also be tested once a week at school.
- New regulations for meetings, trade fairs, events (for example sporting events or club meetings) and cultural offerings, such as theaters, operas, movie theaters and concerts:

o Inside:
 Up to ten people: no regulation
 From 11 to 100 people: 2G as well as distance and hygiene concept.
 101 people and above: 2G+ as well as distance and hygiene concept.
 250 people and above: Approval required by the responsible health authorities.

o Outside:
 Up to 10 people: no regulation.
 From 11 to 100 people: distance and hygiene concept.
 101 people and above: 2G as well as distance and hygiene concept.
 3,000 people and above: approval requirement and capacity restriction to 25% capacity starting with the 3,001st person.

- For church services and other religious gatherings indoors, the application of the 3G rules will be strongly recommended in the future.
- Insofar as access to facilities, establishments, offers or events is limited to persons with proof of vaccination, recovery or testing, those persons are obliged to provide proof at the request of the competent authority or the respective operator or organizer. From now on, the proof should be provided in digitally readable form (for example, with a QR code).

According to a resolution of the Hessen state government pursuant to § 28a Sec. 8 of the Infection Protection Act, the State Government would have the opportunity to take further protective measures as far as and as long as there is a concrete risk of the spread of COVID-19 in Hessen. In particular, it would then be necessary to examine:

- the ordering of a ban on alcohol in public spaces (sale and consumption)
- the complete prohibition of folk festivals, parades, Christmas markets or sports (large) events for spectators or the closure of leisure facilities, such as zoos and animals parks, amusement parks, indoor playgrounds, fun pools, saunas, thermal baths, clubs, discotheques, and prostitution venues or cultural institutions such as museums, theaters or movie theaters.

Which of the measures are necessary depends largely on the further development of the pandemic. The state government will continue to monitor the situation in the hospitals very closely and, if necessary, react very quickly.

Minister President Volker Bouffier and Social Affairs Minister Kai Klose emphasized: "In all the measures we take, we have both health protection and the necessary acceptance by the citizens in mind."

Finally, the Minister President reiterated the importance of vaccinations in the fight against the pandemic. "After weeks of stagnating low demand, more vaccinations were carried out in Hessen than in previous months," added Social Affairs Minister Klose. "While 125,000 citizens were vaccinated in the second week of November, last week there were already 280,000 and thus more than during the high times of the vaccination centers per week," said Klose, who thanked all those involved in the vaccination process for their great commitment. "This increase in the shortest possible time is no small task," says Klose. "But vaccination is the key to finding the way out of the pandemic."

Source: https://www.hessen.de/Presse/Hessische-Landesregierung-verschaerft-Corona-Schutzverordnung

• Date Taken: 12.01.2021
• Date Posted: 12.01.2021 04:09
• Story ID: 410208
• Location: WIESBADEN, HE, DE