With the 3G rule, the federal government wanted to get the pandemic under control – and get more people to vaccinate. For some federal states, this does not go far enough. Where unvaccinated people have to expect restrictions – and where not.
“Together against Corona”. With this slogan, the federal government and the Ministry of Health have been promoting corona vaccination, among other things, for months. Low-threshold vaccination offers in shopping centers and in parking lots are supposed to get those who are undecided, vaccine-grudges and skeptics faster to the needle. Politicians and health professionals never tire of stressing the importance of vaccination in the fight against a fourth wave of pandemics. But the willingness to vaccinate in the population has been falling for months – while the incidences continue to rise. A third are currently fully vaccinated. For the desired herd immunity, however, a vaccination rate of at least 80 percent would be required.
2G as an option model
Some federal states have therefore tightened their measures. Instead of 3G, 2G now applies. Is leading the way in tightening Hamburg. The city relies on a “”. Accordingly, restaurateurs and organizers can decide for themselves which of the two models should apply in their premises. If those who tested negatively are excluded, the distance rules, among other things, do not apply.
There are also tightenings in the state Hessen. According to Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU), Corona is increasingly developing into a pandemic for the unvaccinated. “That is why the restrictions that continue to be necessary primarily affect them, while those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered are less and less affected.” In addition to the 3G model in many indoor areas, a “2G option model” will apply from Thursday.
Even Saxony-Anhalt introduces the 2G option for operators. If only vaccinated, convalescent and children up to the age of 18 are admitted, mask requirements, distance rules and capacity restrictions can be dispensed with, said Minister of Social Affairs Petra Grimm-Benne (SPD). For Berlin the Senate also decided on a 2G option model. According to Health Senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD), a new regulation for gastronomy, events, sport or culture will apply from Saturday. Hairdressing salons or tourist offers could also rely on 2G. The Children’s Fund recently expressed criticism of the measures. The Senate is currently discussing whether exceptions should be made for children. In Brandenburg the cabinet also decided on 2G as an option.
Even Saxony plans an option model, as announced by the State Chancellery. This should be possible for restaurants, facilities or events for up to 5000 people, if the organizer so decides. Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) announced that the 2G rule could be applied in more areas – for example in gastronomy, culture, events or sports. It is already possible in discos.
2G tier models
Also in Baden-Wuerttemberg Stricter corona rules are expected to come into force this Thursday, as Health Minister Manne Lucha (Greens) said. The state relies on a multi-level warning system that is based on the intensive care bed occupancy. In stage 1, unvaccinated persons would only have access to certain public areas with a negative PCR test. In a second step, unvaccinated people no longer come to restaurants, cultural and sporting events, among other things.
Rhineland-Palatinate has already implemented and introduced three warning levels. Vaccinated and convalescents can meet without restrictions. In addition, there may be a certain number of people tested.
Where 3G still applies
In Thuringia The Ministry of Health is examining the introduction of a 2G regulation for certain areas. In Schleswig-Holstein The government wants to pass a new ordinance on Wednesday, according to which requirements on distance and masks for vaccinated, convalescent and negatively tested people will no longer apply from September 20. In the event of a worsening of the corona situation, “a transition to a 2G regulation with a 3G option is generally planned” – and stricter requirements would apply to 3G.
In Bayern New rules recently came into force, which also include a “hospital traffic light” as an indicator. 2G is “theoretically possible and not forbidden, but not proposed by the state,” said Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU). In North Rhine-Westphalia the 3G rule should remain unchanged until further notice.
The state Bremen continues to rely on 3G for the time being. The Senate has postponed the debate about tightening the regulation. The restaurateurs are critical. They would like to have a choice of whether or not to serve unvaccinated people on their premises. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania last adjusted its corona rules in August. The state also uses a traffic light system. . Saarland’s Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) also favors the 3G rule. “To be honest, I don’t want a society in which people who are pregnant or families with children can no longer go outside and go to restaurants. That can not be.”
Dispute over continued wages for sick people in quarantine
Apart from the restrictions in gastronomy and leisure activities, some federal states have decided not to pay wages to corona sufferers in quarantine. The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Health said on Friday that compensation for loss of earnings would expire on October 11 for people without Covid-19 vaccination. This does not apply to people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons. Lower Saxony wants to check by mid-October whether the payments for unvaccinated people can be stopped. In Baden-Württemberg, the end of the replacement service on September 15, according to “Süddeutscher”, has already been decided, and Rhineland-Palatinate will follow suit on October 1. There are also considerations in this direction in Hesse and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Sources:,,,,, DPA
