Can Germany, like Denmark, soon abolish all Corona requirements? German politicians say the prospects of opening up must be discussed. However, it is still too early for implementation.
Two weeks before the next round of federal and state governments on the Corona situation, there are increasing calls for the easing of restrictions. From the point of view of several federal and state politicians, the time for extensive openings has not yet come.
The virologist Christian Drosten agrees that it is not yet time for the all-clear in Germany.
The Prime Ministers of the federal states and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) want to discuss ways out of the pandemic again on February 16. In the round on January 24, the federal and state governments had already agreed that opening perspectives should be developed for the moment when an overload of the health system can be ruled out. The debate is fueled by the lifting of almost all corona restrictions in neighboring Denmark at the beginning of the month.
Buschmann promises easing
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann announced that many corona restrictions would be lifted in March. “I hope that many protective measures can be withdrawn in March,” said the FDP politician to the “Rheinische Post” (Wednesday). The prerequisite is that, as forecast by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), “the number of cases will fall again from mid-February”. New virus variants that completely change the situation again should not appear in the short term either.
Bremen’s Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte emphasized with a view to the federal-state meeting that a decision must then be made on how to proceed. “This decision must be prepared.” At the same time, Bovenschulte said in the ZDF “heute journal up:date”: “Since we currently have a stable situation in the hospitals, I think it is the right time to discuss easing – not yet: to implement it.” Denmark’s approach is “too bold a step” for Bovenschulte. You need perspectives to open up, but “at a reasonable speed”. There is also the risk of a setback.
CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt called for decisions on opening prospects in the “Welt” in February. The hospital occupancy must be the guiding principle for politics. “It is a plea for more personal responsibility. Measures such as the obligation to wear masks are still needed. But we have to present a perspective of reducing the restrictions in everyday life bit by bit – in trade, in gastronomy, in culture, sport, leisure, »said the CSU politician.
The head of the German Hospital Society (DKG), Gerald Gaß, advocated that loosening is now being discussed, but warned: “But that doesn’t mean that openings should take place now.” There can only be easing when the peak of the omicron wave has passed and you can see that the hospitals are not overloaded. “It’s looking good at the moment,” said Gass of the “Rheinische Post”.
Drosten dampens hopes of easing
The virologist Christian Drosten also recommends a cautious approach. In the “Coronavirus Update” podcast on NDR-Info, the scientist from the Berlin Charité referred to the sluggish vaccination progress in Germany compared to Denmark. “That’s why there is no all-clear for Germany,” said Drosten. He sees a time threshold and a “planning horizon” for the relaxation of the Corona situation in the Easter holidays. The then warmer temperatures should also have a reducing effect on the incidences. Easter is in mid-April this year.
The Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, warned: “In view of the hoped-for development of the Omicron variant, prospects for gradual openings are possible, but must be secured.” In this context, he warned the federal government that corona protection measures would soon come to an end. “If the Bundestag does not act, all measures to protect against the virus will expire at the end of March 19, after a one-time extension at the latest,” said the chairman of the Prime Ministers’ Conference to the editorial network Germany, referring to the corresponding time limit in the Infection Protection Act and the only one-off Possibility to extend the measures by three months. “Then the federal states and municipalities would have virtually no protection options,” warned Wüst.
Source: Stern
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