The corona measures will expire in autumn. Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach and Minister of Justice Buschmann have now presented a package of measures. This now has to be approved by Parliament.
The bad news first: “We are expecting a significant corona wave in autumn,” said Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) to journalists after a cabinet meeting on the new version of the corona measures. On the positive side: In the fall, the protective measures are to be adjusted accordingly. The paper prepared for this provides that the federal states can decide on the corona measures between October 1st and April 7th according to a two-stage plan. Lauterbach and Buschmann rejected a lockdown and school closures.
From October 1st, the mask requirement will be tightened again. According to this, visitors in medical facilities, as well as people in air and long-distance traffic must wear an FFP2 mask again. Children between the ages of 6 and 14 and staff should also be able to wear medical masks. In clinics and nursing homes, a mask requirement should apply nationwide, where you should also have to prove a negative corona test before entering. The mask requirement indoors could be introduced by the countries depending on the incidence. However, Lauterbach did not give specific figures.
Corona in autumn: The countries should decide on the obligation to wear a mask
Lauterbach and Buschmann have also agreed that citizens can avoid the mask requirement at events, in restaurants or bars with a current negative corona test. Recovery or a vaccination can also release you from the obligation to wear a mask. However, both must not be older than three months. The Corona-Warn-App should be adjusted accordingly.
Lauterbach also emphasized that bars and restaurants can exercise their domiciliary rights.
“If the pandemic makes it necessary (…), then the countries can ignite a second stage,” says Lauterbach. Then the mask requirement applies in all indoor areas regardless of the test or vaccination status of the people. A negative test or a fresh vaccination or recovery are then no longer a substitute for mouth and nose protection. In addition, the federal states could impose distance regulations for indoor and outdoor spaces as well as a maximum number of people for events.
Parliament and the Federal Council still have to decide
Another new feature of the draft is that nursing homes will in future have to appoint officers who will take care of vaccinations, hygiene and drug therapies for those infected, for example with the drug Paxlovid. Special payments of 1000 euros per month are provided for this. The facilities should get 250 euros per month for the effort – for employees who take on the tasks alone or in a team, there should be a total of 750 euros.
“With this set of tools, we can deal with the foreseeable corona wave in the fall,” says Lauterbach. The countries would be given every opportunity to react appropriately. It remains the goal of Corona policy to avoid high death rates, many lost work days and serious long-term consequences. After the cabinet has approved these proposals, he is now going to the Bundestag. The Federal Council then has to agree.
Source: Stern
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