In Germany, the voices of those calling for stricter regulations to fight the coronavirus are on the rise. The cause is the rapid increase in Covid-19 infections.
The Robert Koch State Epidemiological Institute announced today 34,002 new cases in one day. And the positivity index that shows the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days is constantly increasing. From 169.9 yesterday it increased today to 183.7.
It is expected that in a few days this indicator will exceed any previous limit. Some German states are already setting a negative record. In Saxony the positivity index is 415.8, in Thuringia 406 and in Bavaria 284.
The test is no longer enough
Saxony is the first German state to apply stricter regulations since Monday. Access to indoor areas such as restaurants, hotels, discos, museums, cinemas and stadiums will be available only to those who have a certificate of vaccination or disease (Rule 2G). That is, a negative test will no longer be enough.
Retail, pharmacies and churches are excluded from this regulation. The same practice is already being applied in isolated areas of Bavaria with high numbers of cases.
The introduction of this rule throughout Germany is demanded, among others, by the representative of the Social Democrats for health, Karl Lauderbach, the Association of German Municipalities, as well as the Federal Medical Association. “In need” lockdown measures should be imposed on the unvaccinated, said the president of the organization, Klaus Reinhardt.
Other medical associations, including Bavarian Prime Minister Marcus Zeder, are calling for a return to free coronavirus tests, which were scrapped last month. In addition, they consider it necessary for the vaccinated to be tested, because they too can be carriers of Covid-19.
Unlike other countries in Germany compulsory vaccination will not be imposed on staff of nursing homes and nursing homes. The meeting of the Ministers of Health of the German states decided yesterday to impose a mandatory test on these institutions for staff and visitors – regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not.
DW / Panagiotis Kouparanis, Berlin
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