The HDE trade association is emphatically insisting on the lifting of the 2G rule for trade. An economics expert from Kiel doubts whether this is a good idea for business.
According to the Kiel economist Holger Görg, easing the strict 2G Corona rules for retail and gastronomy does not necessarily lead to better business.
It is not at all clear whether the lifting of the rules would have positive economic effects. “It could lead to more sales because there are no hurdles for everyone to access shops and restaurants,” writes the acting head of the Institute for the World Economy (IfW) in an article published in Kiel on Friday.
“But sales could also fall because access for the unvaccinated or untested deters more potential customers who then no longer feel safe.” The economist therefore recommends “observing the reaction of customers in comparative pilot projects first, instead of lifting the restrictions across the board”.
The end of the rule has been required for some time
2G means that only vaccinated and recovered people have access. If 2G-Plus applies, a negative test or proof of a booster vaccination must also be available. Retail and hospitality industry associations have been calling for an end to these rules for some time. In Schleswig-Holstein, for example, the 2G rule in retail will no longer apply from Monday.
The German Retail Association (HDE) only pointed out again on Tuesday what it believes to be the fatal role of 2G for the industry. “This measure, which is useless in the fight against the pandemic, must finally be taken nationwide,” demanded HDE CEO Stefan Genth. The associations of the hospitality industry are also campaigning for relaxation.
According to IfW economist Görg, 2G can “even help to attract more customers, since they are more likely to take a trip to a restaurant knowing that other people have also been vaccinated, recovered and may also have tested negative ». Görg therefore recommends pilot projects in a few well-considered locations. “If the pilot projects are doing better, that could indicate that rolling back the measures is good for the hospitality industry and retail. If not, it is likely that the restrictions are less the problem than the corona pandemic itself.”
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
