Significant restrictions even for the vaccinated and the sick, the suspension of nightclubs, large sports and artistic events without spectators and the cancellation of traditional New Year’s parties were recently announced by Chancellor Olaf Soltz, in view of the “wave of Omicron” severity of the country.
“The coronavirus does not know since the Christmas break. I understand very well those who no longer want to hear about the coronavirus, about variations and mutations, but we can not close our ears and eyes in front of what is coming. This is not the time for big New Year’s parties. “I would like to have more good news to tell you before the holidays,” Mr Soltz said after a meeting with state prime ministers earlier today, adding that “unfortunately a dramatic increase in cases is expected in the coming weeks.” The fifth wave is already threatening us now, he added.
The federation and the states agreed that up to 10 people – even vaccinated and sick people – are allowed to gather “no later than” on December 28, excluding children under the age of 14. In addition, the unvaccinated can only meet two people from another household. Nightclubs and discos will be closed and major sporting and artistic events, such as Bundesliga football matches, will be held without spectators. The Chancellor justified the entry into force of the measures after Christmas, referring to the previous experience, according to which, as he said, Christmas and Easter were not the cause of the outbreak of the cases.
Olaf Solz reiterated the call for vaccination: “Get vaccinated, get vaccinated, get vaccinated”, he said characteristically and set the immediate goal of vaccinating 80% of the population. He even stated that there are no more convincing arguments for anyone who is not vaccinated.
Earlier, the Robert Koch Institute had issued a recommendation for “the greatest possible restriction of contacts”, starting “immediately” and until at least mid-January. Among the measures proposed by the Institute were the extension of holidays for schools and kindergartens, the suspension of catering businesses and the reduction of travel to the “absolutely necessary”, slightly differentiated from the line of the Committee of Experts recently set up by the Chancellor himself. Both Olaf Solz and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach appeared annoyed by the public outcry of the scientists, but also by the choice of time for the relevant statements. The latter spoke of “uncoordinated” publication of scientific findings, which, as he said, “should not happen”, while the Chancellor allegedly clarified during the conference that the proposals of the “Robert Koch” Institute are not binding and are needed clarification and that the decisions are based on the opinion of the Committee of Experts.
Because of this, the Prime Ministers of Baden-Württemberg and Saxony attached their objections to the text of tonight’s decisions, stating that they consider the measures decided “insufficient”. “They do not guarantee sufficient rapid response capability in the event of a deterioration,” they said. Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretsmer reportedly suggested a national lockdown, but his proposal was rejected. In his state, however, it is expected that very strict rules will be applied for the holiday season.
The issue of compulsory vaccination and the resumption of the national “epidemiological crisis situation”, which expired on November 25, was also raised at tonight’s conference, but no decisions were taken. The next conference is scheduled for January 7.
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