“To protect our health system, we unfortunately have to shut down the whole country even more,” said Söder of the “Augsburger Allgemeine” (Monday edition). Italy’s State Secretary for Health Pierpaolo Sileri has meanwhile called for Europe-wide preventive measures in the fight against the Omikron variant.
“The warnings from the Leopoldina (National Academy of Sciences, note) are a wake-up call: we now need consistent contact restrictions for those who have not been vaccinated, a lockdown for hotspot regions, masks in all schools and football games without spectators,” added Söder. “Every day of waiting and hesitation is a wasted day.” All of Germany is headed for an emergency, the coming federal government should no longer stand idly by, warned Söder.
“Federal emergency brake this week”
The National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina had recommended immediate comprehensive contact restrictions in view of the rapidly increasing number of infections. “A federal emergency brake has to be decided this week,” demanded the CSU boss.
Nobody can currently estimate how the new Omikron variant will work. “That is why all flights from South Africa must be stopped. We must not rule anything out. Incidentally, more vaccine is needed for the countries, extensive compensation for the economy as last year and mandatory vaccination for everyone from January. This is an emergency package for Germany.”
Europe-wide strategy required
In the fight against the omicron variant of the corona virus, Italy is now calling on the EU to take Europe-wide preventive measures. “We will work out a containment strategy at European level in the next 24-48 hours,” said State Secretary for Health Sileri, according to media reports on Sunday.
“It was the right decision by Italy to block flights from some African countries. Now, however, Community decisions are needed on new restrictions. We could reintroduce the double-entry and post-quarantine obligation, but only for those who do come from countries where the virus variants exist, not for individual cases, “explained Sileri.
South Africa sees itself wrongly punished
South Africa, on the other hand, sees itself wrongly punished by the numerous travel restrictions. “Outstanding science should be praised, not punished,” said a statement from the Ministry of International Relations, referring to the work of South African scientists who had sequenced and identified the omicron variant.
“We also note that new variants have been discovered in other countries. None of these cases had a connection to South Africa,” it said. South Africa has already started talks with countries that have decided on travel restrictions and hopes that these decisions will be reconsidered.
“We respect the right of all countries to take precautionary measures to protect their citizens,” said Minister Naledi Pandor. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the pandemic requires international cooperation and the exchange of experience. She pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) had spoken out in favor of caution with travel restrictions.
Source From: Nachrichten
