Here’s what restrictions German states plan to impose on those not vaccinated against COVID-19

While the number of new coronavirus infections is increasing in Germany, the percentage of people vaccinated is no longer changing significantly. Currently, less than 67 percent of the population in Germany is fully vaccinated. Chancellor Angela Merkel is calling for greater restrictions on the unvaccinated. So she does not rule out that they will have to test daily for coronavirus in the workplace, and that the restrictions will go beyond the 2G model. Some states are already going their own way. Here’s an overview (the list is not complete and includes states for which we were able to find some information).

Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg has been on alert since Wednesday. The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units exceeded 250 for the second consecutive working day on Tuesday, the Health Ministry in Stuttgart said on Tuesday. This means tighter regulations, especially for unvaccinated people.

Health Minister Manne Lucha (Greens) said Tuesday, “There is now a pandemic of unvaccinated people. We see this not only from separately reported cases of illness, but also in intensive care units.” Minister Lucha stated that there are almost without exception unvaccinated patients with severe disease. In his opinion, this justifies the introduction of restrictions relating to the unvaccinated, as they are responsible for the burden on the health care system.

For the unvaccinated, the alert status means increased testing requirements for coronavirus and the reinstatement of restrictions on social contact. Those who are not vaccinated and are not recovered will have to show a negative PCR test when going to a restaurant, movie theater or swimming pool, for example. A quick test is no longer enough. When it comes to interpersonal contact, people in one household will be allowed to socialize with up to five other people. This does not apply to vaccinated individuals, recovering patients, or people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Children and adolescents under the age of 17 are also excluded from this limit.

Berlin

Due to the increasing number of new coronavirus infections, Berlin Health Senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD) announced tighter controls in the catering industry. The senators discussed what additional measures should be taken as winter approaches. Kalayci said Tuesday after the Senate meeting that increased inspections of compliance with those pandemic restrictions that are already in place are also necessary.

Kalayci criticized the fact that restaurateurs don’t always check whether guests are vaccinated, for example. Checks by public order and security offices and police should be intensified, she said. Details are to be decided at the Senate meeting next week.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is stepping up efforts to protect nursing home residents from coronavirus infection. Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) said Tuesday after a cabinet meeting in Schwerin that 3G rules are to be consistently applied to everyone there in the future. Employees who are not vaccinated will in future perhaps even have to be tested daily for coronavirus. Until now, two tests per week has been the norm. Visitors who are not vaccinated or recovered will be required to present a current negative coronavirus test. Overall, about 75 percent of nursing staff in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are vaccinated.

Lower Saxony

The draft regulation will maintain the requirement for most students in Lower Saxony to wear masks in the classroom. Only first and second grade students will be exempt from the requirement. The current regulation, which also refers to restrictions on schools, is valid until next Wednesday. An amendment to the ordinance is expected to be ready early next week.

Rhineland-Palatinate

The state government of Rhineland-Palatinate has decided to ease the outdoor pandemic restrictions. St. Martin’s Day parades and Christmas markets will be allowed to take place without the need for protective masks, keeping a distance and collecting contact information, Prime Minister Malu Dreyer and Health Minister Clemens Hoch (SPD) announced Tuesday. The new regulation to combat the coronavirus pandemic, which will come into force next Monday (November 8), also stipulates that unvaccinated staff at hospitals, nursing homes and similar institutions must be tested for coronavirus on a daily basis.

Saxon

Due to the dramatically increasing number of new coronavirus infections, the Saxony government wants to tighten pandemic restrictions and introduce a 2G (vaccinated or recovered) rule for catering, indoor events or mass events (including soccer matches). On Tuesday, the government discussed a new regulation to counter the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and FFP2 masks are to be made mandatory on public transport. The final decisions are expected to be made on Friday. The new regulation is expected to come into force next Monday.

Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt is planning an amendment to the law, according to which counties and cities with district rights are to be obliged to reintroduce mandatory testing for coronavirus when certain limits are exceeded. This was said by Health Minister Petra Grimm-Benne (SPD) on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting in Magdeburg. According to the guidelines, the COVID-19 incidence rate (number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in 7 days) must remain above 100 for one week. If, during the same period, the number of hospital admissions per 100,000 population in a week exceeds 5, then the obligation to submit coronavirus test results for activities taking place indoors will return.

Already, counties and incorporated cities can choose to implement mandatory testing when COVID-19 incidence exceeds level 35, Grimm-Benne said. However, they are not obligated to do so.

Handball and soccer fans will have to prepare for more restrictions during major events. The state government plans to amend the pandemic regulation next week. Fans will have to keep a social distance and cover their mouths and noses in enclosed spaces where 3G rules apply. This would prevent full use of available seats. Alternatively, a “2G option” could be considered, said Petra Grimm-Benne (SPD). In this case, the social distance obligation could be waived.

In the case of option 2G, only vaccinated and recovered persons can participate in the event, in the case of rule 3G also people with a negative coronavirus test result. Stricter regulations are also to apply at soccer stadiums, e.g. mandatory use of masks in the stands for events organized under the 3G rule.

Lower Bavaria

Due to the steady increase in new coronavirus infections, stricter regulations have been in place in Lower Bavaria since Wednesday. Where up to now you had to wear a medical mask, the FFP2 mask becomes mandatory. This applies for example to supermarkets, retail stores, public transport and recreational facilities. Where the 3Gplus rule previously applied, the 2G rule will now apply. For example, only vaccinated and recovered persons may now enter discotheques and clubs. People who have had close contact with a person infected with coronavirus must undergo a ten-day quarantine.

The above-mentioned regulations will apply from Wednesday in the districts of Kelheim, Landshut, Straubing-Bogen, Dingolfing-Landau, Deggendorf, Rottal-Inn, Passau, Freyung-Grafenau and Regen, as well as in the cities of Landshut, Straubing and Passau. In addition to the new regulations, increased inspections will be carried out.

Source: www.t-online.de; www.br.de

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