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Press Release from the Federal German Government from 02 DEC 2021
Courtesy Translation: Nadine Bower, Public Affairs Specialist
Measures to cope with the corona pandemic
The situation in our country is very serious. In many regions of Germany, incidences are rising, and the burden in hospitals is reaching its limits in many places, especially in the south and east of Germany. The pandemic is hitting our entire country 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 will work together to ensure that the number of infections decreases again and that our health system is relieved.
Against this background, the Chancellor and the heads of government of the federal states decide:
1- The existing decisions of the Federal Chancellor and the heads of government of the federal states will continue to be valid, unless this decision makes any deviating provisions. The federal states will adapt their state ordinances accordingly.
2- An expanded federal-state crisis unit will be set up in the Federal Chancellery to identify and remedy problems in logistics, vaccine delivery and distribution at an early stage.
3- The federal and state governments will work together to make vaccination possible by Christmas for all those who opt for an initial vaccination and all those who need a second or booster vaccination on time. With a high demand in the population, this can require up to 30 million vaccinations.
4- The federal government will also significantly expand the circle of people who are allowed to carry out vaccinations. In short term, this is possible via delegations with where doctors are allowed to delegate vaccination to pharmacists and nurses, for example in nursing homes. In addition, a legal change is to be made for pharmacists, dentists and others in order to expand the circle of authorized experts who can carry out vaccinations in the corona pandemic.
5- Because the protection of the corona vaccine against the currently prevailing virus variants in the currently available vaccines decreases continuously starting about the fifth month, the vaccination status, i.e. the duration of recognition as a fully vaccinated person, will have to be changed unless a booster vaccination is given. At the level of the European Union, it is being discussed that the vaccination status should remain valid for nine months after the second vaccination. Taking into account the vaccination campaign and the available vaccines, the Federal Government and the federal states will agree by the end of the year on when and how a corresponding regulation should be applied in the Federal Republic of Germany.
6- Throughout Germany, access to cultural and leisure facilities and events (movie theaters, theatres, restaurants, etc.) is only possible for vaccinated and recovered individuals (2G), regardless of incidence levels. In addition, a current test can be required (2GPlus). To this end, exceptions shall be provided for persons who cannot be vaccinated and for persons for whom there is no general vaccination recommendation. In addition, exceptions are possible for children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
7- The 2G rule will be extended nationwide to the retail trade regardless of incidence levels. Hence, only vaccinated and recovered individuals have access. Exceptions are stores for daily needs. Access must be controlled by the stores.
8- Strict contact restrictions for the unvaccinated are imposed in all federal states. Private gatherings in public or private spaces attended by unvaccinated and non-recovered persons shall be limited to one's own household and to a maximum of two persons of another household. Children up to the age of 14 are exempt from this. Spouses, life partners and partners of a non-marital cohabitation are considered to be one household, even if they do not have a common residence. Private meetings, in which only vaccinated and recovered individuals participate, are not affected. The Federal Government will adapt the COVID-19 Protective Measures Exemption Ordinance accordingly.
9- Cross-regional sports, cultural and comparable major events will be significantly restricted. Limits on utilization and an absolute upper limit of spectators are set. For events in closed rooms, only 30 to 50 percent of the capacity may be used, up to a maximum total of 5,000 spectators. For outdoor events, only 30 to 50 percent of the capacity may be used, up to a maximum total of 15,000 spectators. Medical masks must be worn. As usual, only vaccinated or recovered people have access (2G). In addition, a current test can be prescribed for the participants (2GPlus). In federal states with a high level of infection, events must be cancelled, if possible, and sporting events must be held without spectators.
10- Starting at an incidence of more than 350 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days, indoor clubs and discotheques are closed. From the point of view of the federal government, this is already legally possible. In the reform of the Infection Protection Act, however, this will once again unquestionably be made clear. However, the federal states can already use this option nationwide where necessary.
11- In federal states with an incidence above 350 per 100,000 inhabitants, all contacts must be reduced. Therefore, for private celebrations and for gatherings, there is a participant limit of 50 people (vaccinated and recovered) indoors and 200 people (vaccinated and recovered) outdoors.
12- Masks are mandatory for all school grade levels.
13- Strict controls of all rules are ensured. This applies in particular to checks on the vaccination status, which should be carried out using apps if possible.
14- The legislator is asked to supplement the Infection Protection Act with further regulations so that federal states and regions with a high level of infection continue to have appropriate additional measures (for example temporary closures of restaurants, prohibition of alcohol distribution or consumption, restriction of accumulations, restrictions on hotel accommodation). In addition, the legislator is asked to extend the transitional period for protective measures in the Infection Protection Act, which came into force on Nov. 25, 2021, reaching beyond Dec. 15, 2021. It is clarified by law that these measures can also be ordered regionally differentiated (i.e. in districts).
15- All the aforementioned measures mark uniform minimum standards throughout Germany. As a result, many federal states and regions with currently low incidences are tightening their rules in order to mitigate the wave and in ordert o proactively relieve their health systems. The particularly affected federal states will continue to operate beyond these minimum standards with state regulations.
16- The federal government will initiate an institution-related vaccination obligation for employees, for example in geriatric care facilities and hospitals.
17- The federal and state governments welcome the fact that the German Bundestag wants to decide on a general vaccination obligation in a timely manner. It can take effect as soon as it can be ensured that all those to be vaccinated can also be vaccinated promptly, i.e. starting in February, 2022. The Federal Government and the federal states ask the Ethics Council to draw up a recommendation on this by the end of the year.
18- A panel of experts of science is being set up in the Federal Chancellery. It should meet once a week and make joint proposals.
19- On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, a ban on gatherings is implemented nationwide. In addition, there is a ban on fireworks on places with a high number of people to be defined by the municipalities. The sale of pyrotechnics before New Year's Eve is generally prohibited this year and the ignition of New Year's Eve fireworks is generally strongly discouraged, also against the background of the high risk of injury and the already enormous burden on the health system. As in the previous year, provisions should be made for the companies affected by this in the context of economic aid.
20- The heads of government of the federal states welcome the term sheet for bridging aid IV presented by the Federal Government, which is intended to create an aid instrument for the Advent markets particularly affected by corona protection measures in order to implement the decision of Nov. 18, 2021. This is to be implemented quickly. The hardship aid, the special fund of the federal government for trade fairs and exhibitions, the special fund of the federal government for cultural events, the program ‚Corona-Hilfen Profisport' and the ‚KFW‘ special program are to be extended. They also welcome the fact that the Federal Cabinet has extended the essential special provisions on short-time working allowances until Marc. 31, 2022. It asks the Federal Government to keep an eye on further developments.
Source: https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/974430/1986142/5873aa09c3896444d247b356b5df4315/2021-12-02-mpk-bund-laender-data.pdf
| Date Taken: | 12.03.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.03.2021 03:53 |
| Story ID: | 410383 |
| Location: | WIESBADEN, HE, DE |
| Web Views: | 266 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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