Corona: Large return to normality, but exceptions for hotspots remain

Corona: Large return to normality, but exceptions for hotspots remain

From March 20th, “profound” corona protection measures in Germany are to be ended. However, the federal states should still be able to order masks and tests in the healthcare system and public transport.

Despite the increasing number of infections, the federal government sees Germany well prepared for the coming months with the planned new regulations for the corona requirements. From March 20th, many corona measures will be ended in Germany. However, there should still be “basic protective measures”. In corona hotspots, special protective measures – such as a mask requirement – can also be imposed in the future if the respective state parliament decides to do so. That’s what Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) said when presenting the draft of the new Infection Protection Act in Berlin on Wednesday.

In addition, people should be able to be obliged in this case to present proof of vaccination, recovery or test when entering certain facilities and companies. Facilities or offers open to the public should also be obliged to develop hygiene concepts. According to the draft law, the measures should end automatically if the respective state parliament does not extend them after three months at the latest.

Lauterbach: Protect vulnerable groups

At the same time, the new law provides that certain measures can generally continue to apply in the future, and not just in the hotspots. It is specifically planned that the federal states can continue to make masks compulsory in clinics and nursing homes, for example, as well as in local public transport. It should also be possible to order compulsory testing in such facilities for particularly vulnerable groups and in schools. In general, according to Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP), the following applies in regions with a normal situation: “There we are largely returning to normal life with the exception of the particularly dangerous settings.”

“I still have hope that we can master the climb,” said Lauterbach. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the nationwide seven-day incidence rose for the seventh day in a row, to 1,319 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants per week. Buschmann expressed the expectation “that we will be able to control the situation well with this set of instruments”.

According to Lauterbach, the new “basic protective measures” should continue to protect vulnerable groups in particular. Buchmann said the law is a good compromise.

The new law is to apply until September 23. Lauterbach said a successor law could be passed. The previous legal basis for the Corona measures expires on March 19.

Source: Stern

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