DVIDS – News – Courtesy translation: federal measures to deal with the corona pandemic

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Press release from the German Federal Government of 02 December 2021 Courtesy translation: Nadine Bower, Public Affairs Specialist

Measures to deal with the corona pandemic

The situation in our country is very serious. In many parts of Germany, the incidences are increasing and the load in hospitals is reaching its limits in many places, especially in southern and eastern Germany. The pandemic is hitting our entire country hard. We are all closely linked through the solidarity distribution of intensive care patients.

That is why, in an act of national solidarity, we will work together so that the number of infections decreases again and that our health system is relieved.

In this context, the Chancellor and the heads of government of the Länder decide:

1- The existing decisions of the Federal Chancellor and the heads of government of the Länder remain valid, unless this decision contains divergent provisions. The Länder will adapt their ordinances accordingly.

2- An enlarged crisis unit of the Federal State will be set up at the Federal Chancellery to identify and resolve the problems of logistics, delivery and distribution of vaccines 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 a first vaccination and all those who need a second vaccination or a booster in time. With high demand from the population, this may require up to 30 million vaccinations.

4- The federal government will also considerably widen the circle of persons authorized to carry out vaccinations. In the short term, this is possible through delegations with which doctors are authorized to delegate vaccination to pharmacists and nurses, for example in retirement homes. In addition, a legal change must be made to pharmacists, dentists and others to expand the circle of authorized experts who can perform vaccinations during the corona pandemic.

5- Since the protection of the corona vaccine against the viral variants currently predominant in currently available vaccines decreases continuously from about the fifth month, the vaccination status, i.e. the duration of recognition as a fully vaccinated, will need to be changed unless a booster vaccination is administered. At the level of the European Union, it is under discussion so that the vaccination status remains valid nine months after the second vaccination. Taking into account the vaccination campaign and the vaccines available, the Federal Government and the Länder will agree by the end of the year on when and how corresponding regulations should be applied in the Federal Republic of Germany.

6- Throughout Germany, access to cultural and leisure facilities and events (cinemas, theaters, restaurants, etc.) is only possible for vaccinated and cured individuals (2G), regardless of the incidence levels. In addition, a current test may be required (2GPlus). To this end, exceptions are made for people who cannot be vaccinated and for people for whom there is no general recommendation for vaccination. In addition, exceptions are possible for children and adolescents up to the age of 18.

7- The 2G rule will be extended at the national level to the retail trade whatever the levels of incidence. Thus, only vaccinated and cured individuals have access to it. The exceptions are stores for daily needs. Access must be controlled by 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 unrecovered people are limited to one’s own household and a maximum of two people from another household. Children up to 14 years are exempt. Spouses, life partners and partners in a cohabitation outside marriage are considered as one household, even if they do not have a common residence. Private meetings, attended only by vaccinated and cured people, are not affected. The federal government will adapt the COVID-19 protective measures exemption order accordingly.

9- Major cross-regional sporting, cultural and comparable events will be considerably restricted. Usage limits and an absolute upper limit of spectators are set. For events in closed venues, 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 can be used, up to a maximum total of 15,000 spectators. Medical masks must be worn. As usual, only vaccinated or cured people have access to it (2G). In addition, participants can be prescribed an ongoing test (2GPlus). In federal states with high infection levels, events should be canceled, if possible, and sporting events should take place without spectators.

10- From an incidence of more than 350 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days, indoor clubs and discos are closed. From the point of view of the federal government, this is already legally possible. However, in the reform of the infection protection law, this will once again be clearly stated. However, the Länder can already use this option at national level if necessary.

11- In federal states with an incidence greater than 350 per 100,000 inhabitants, all contacts must be reduced. Thus, for private celebrations and for gatherings, there is a limit of participants of 50 people (vaccinated and recovered) inside and 200 people (vaccinated and recovered) outside.

12- Masks are compulsory for all school levels.

13- Strict controls of all rules are ensured. This applies in particular to checks of vaccination status, which should be carried out if possible using applications.

14- The legislator is invited to supplement the law on protection against infections with new 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, ban on the distribution or consumption of alcohol, restriction of accumulation, restrictions on hotel accommodation). In addition, the legislator is requested to extend the transitional period for protective measures in the law on protection against infections, which entered into force on November 25, 2021, to go beyond December 15, 2021. It is specified by the law that these measures can also be ordered differentiated according to the regions (ie in the districts).

15- All the aforementioned measures mark uniform minimum standards throughout Germany. As a result, many federal states and regions with currently low incidence are toughening their rules in order to dampen the tide and proactively take the strain off their health systems. Particularly affected federal states will continue to operate beyond these minimum standards with state regulations.

16- The federal government will initiate an establishment-related vaccination obligation for employees, for example in geriatric care establishments and hospitals.

17- The federal and state governments welcome the fact that the German Bundestag wishes to decide in good time on a general vaccination obligation. It can enter into force as soon as it is possible to guarantee that all those to be vaccinated can also be vaccinated quickly, that is to say from February 2022. The federal government and the Länder ask the Ethics Council to develop a recommendation on this by the end of the year.

18- A panel of scientific experts is being set up at the Federal Chancellery. It should meet once a week and make joint proposals.

19- On New Year’s Day and New Year’s Day, a ban on gatherings is put in place across the country. In addition, there is a ban on fireworks on the premises with a high number of people to be defined by the municipalities. The sale of pyrotechnic items before New Year’s Eve is generally prohibited this year, and the lighting of New Year’s Eve fireworks is generally strongly discouraged, also against the background of the high risk of injury and the already charging. huge burden on the health system. As in the previous year, arrangements should be made for the companies concerned within the framework of economic aid.

20- The heads of government of the Länder welcome the modalities sheet for relay IV aid presented by the federal government, which aims to create an instrument to help Advent markets particularly affected by corona protection measures in order to implement the decision of Nov. 18, 2021. This needs to be implemented quickly. Difficulty assistance, the federal government’s special fund for fairs and exhibitions, the federal government’s special fund for cultural events, the “Corona-Hilfen Profisport” program 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 work benefits to Marc. December 31, 2022. He 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: 03/12/2021 Date published: 03/12/2021 3:53 AM Story ID: 410383 Location: WIESBADEN, HE, DE Webviews: 67 Downloads: 0 PUBLIC DOMAIN

This book, Courtesy Translation: Federal measures to face the corona pandemic, by Nadine Bower, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions indicated at https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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