Courtesy Translation: Rheinland-Pfalz acts decisively and places hope in the new federal-state crisis unit for the vaccination campaign

Courtesy Photo | Rheinland Pfalz crest to use with courtesy translations  

WIESBADEN, HE, GERMANY

12.01.2021

Story by Nadine Bower 

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden   

Press Release from the State Government of Rheinland-Pfalz; from 30 NOV 2021
Courtesy Translation: Nadine Bower, Community Relations

Rheinland-Pfalz acts decisively and places hope in the new federal-state crisis unit for the vaccination campaign

"The situation is very serious. A new, even more contagious corona variant and a vaccination protection that is weakening faster than assumed are presenting us with problems this winter, which we can only overcome together. The state government will increase the protective measures again and will accelerate vaccinations. We also need the solidarity and discipline of the citizens. Even if the situation in Rheinland-Pfalz is better than in some other states, we also see that the incidences are increasing everywhere and the burden in hospitals in many places is reaching a limit. In recent days, hospitals in Rheinland-Pfalz have admitted corona intensive care patients from other states such as Bavaria. This shows that the pandemic is hitting the whole of Germany hard. We are all closely connected through the solidarity-based distribution of intensive care patients. That is why, in an act of national solidarity, we want to ensure that the number of infections declines and that our entire health system is relieved," said Minister President Malu Dreyer after the talks between the heads of the federal states and the outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel and the incoming Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"In the past, I have repeatedly demanded that, in addition to the Conference of Minister Presidents, there should be a permanent joint crisis unit with constant scientific support. That is why I am very pleased that the incoming Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has set up a federal-state crisis unit in the Federal Chancellery, which will start its work immediately. We have to get out of the situation and for this we need up to 30 million vaccinations in Germany (first, second and booster vaccination) by Christmas. For this and for other tasks such as vaccine logistics, vaccine deliveries, the work of the new crisis unit under the leadership of Major General Breuer is just right. Major General Breuer is a good acquaintance for us. He was responsible for civil-military cooperation in the flood disaster. I am very much looking forward to working with him in this new role," continued Minister President Malu Dreyer.

The federal-state talks have also made it clear that the fight against Corona has the highest priority even in times of a change of government and will continue to be worked on at full speed. "It is good that the outgoing Chancellor and the incoming Chancellor have had a joint discussion with the Federal States. We have a common goal and there may be no party interests in the fight against Corona. We agree that we must continue to limit contacts, that we must further reduce access for the unvaccinated and put all our energy into vaccination. For Rheinland-Pfalz, this means that the number of vaccinations is rising sharply: 212,500 vaccinations in the past week alone. Our goal is to double these in the coming weeks. The portal for registrations for children’s vaccinations (5 to 11 years) will be open starting tomorrow and we will also start with children’s vaccinations before Christmas, as soon as the vaccine is available," said Minister President Malu Dreyer. It is important to her that uniform rules apply nationwide, which is why the state government decided today to further increase the protective measures and, together with the federal-state crisis unit, to massively expand the vaccination campaign.

"Starting Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, the "2G-plus rule" will be extended in Rheinland-Pfalz and will then apply indoors wherever no mask can be worn. There, vaccinated persons must also present a valid negative test. This affects, among other things, gastronomy, hotels, indoor sports, but also services on the body, such as cosmetics. In areas where a mask can be worn (hairdresser or pedicure), the "2G" rule still applies. From now on, this will also apply to outdoor events.

"Experience has shown that the virus always spreads where people come into contact with each other. This is especially true for non-immunized people. We have therefore decided to limit contacts in public spaces for non-vaccinated people. There, the stay will only be allowed alone, with one's own household or with a person of one other household, whereby minors are not counted in the determination of the number of persons," said the Minister President and the Minister of Health. But in principle, everyone has to think about reducing contacts in their own environment. Acting responsibly towards others remains the order of the day, said Minister President Malu Dreyer and Health Minister Clemens Hoch.

The following additional regulations apply starting Saturday:

- The person limit of one person per 10 square meters of sales or visitor space will be reintroduced.
- If the 2G-plus model applies in enclosed spaces, then a maximum of 25 non-immunized minors may also participate. They are subject to the obligation to test. This also applies to gastronomy. The mask requirement applies throughout, except when eating and drinking.
- For outdoor events, the "2G" rule applies. In addition, non-immunized minors with a test are allowed to participate. Masks are mandatory except when eating and drinking. "With regard to capacity limitation and maximum number of visitors, we favor a nationwide solution," said the Minister President.
- In the future, masks will also be mandatory in elementary and special education schools.
- For church services and other events of religious communities in closed rooms, the 3G regulation still applies. Distance requirements and mask requirements apply.
- Only vaccinated, recovered and equivalent persons as well as a maximum of 25 minors (previously: unlimited) who have not been vaccinated, recovered or treated as such, may be present at the same time when practicing sports indoors. Indoors, the test obligation applies to everyone, including vaccinated and recovered people. In swimming pools and fun pools, spas and saunas, only vaccinated, recovered and equivalent persons as well as minors who are not vaccinated, recovered or treated as such, may be present at the same time.

Source: https://www.bing.com/translator/?toWww=1&redig=CD0DA67A2D784EB1BAE59307A611D03A

• Date Taken: 12.01.2021
• Date Posted: 12.01.2021 04:40
• Story ID: 410211
• Location: WIESBADEN, HE, DE