Monday 15th November 2021
Daycare centers and nursing homes
Ampel agrees on compulsory vaccination for individual professions
The fourth wave also shows that corona outbreaks in nursing homes can have devastating consequences. The future coalitionists of the SPD, FDP and the Greens have therefore agreed on a partial vaccination requirement. But it should not be part of the Infection Protection Act.
The possible future government partners SPD, Greens and FDP are, according to information from Greens parliamentary group leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt, in agreement on the introduction of mandatory vaccinations in certain areas. “We will need a compulsory vaccination for institutions, in nursing homes, in day-care centers, etc. We will get that on the way,” said Göring-Eckardt in Berlin.
When asked, she confirmed that the members of the desired traffic light coalition were in agreement on this issue. The move is not part of the reform of the Infection Protection Act, which is to be passed this week, but a separate legislative process, explained Göring-Eckardt.
In addition, the parties have agreed on a significant tightening of the planned amendment to the Infection Protection Act. In view of the dramatically increasing number of corona infections, it should now be possible to order contact restrictions as well, as emerges from an agreement between representatives of the three parliamentary groups. It is about unvaccinated people, as Greens boss Robert Habeck had previously indicated in the ARD. In addition, unvaccinated people should no longer be allowed to use buses and trains without a negative test – regardless of the mask requirement that continues to apply. In the future, a 3G rule will apply to local and long-distance public transport: “Anyone who uses public transport must either be vaccinated, recovered or tested.”
Corona summit should set a common example
Green parliamentary leader Göring-Eckardt also emphasized that even with the tightening, business in Germany should remain open. “We don’t have to close stores, the virologists tell us that too,” she said. The restaurants should also remain open as long as they can provide enough space with appropriate hygiene concepts. The bars, on the other hand, could be closed. There should only be as many people as possible under the conditions of the pandemic.
When implementing the planned 3G rule in public transport, there should be no constant controls on the doors of buses and trains. Rather, it should be queried as part of ticket controls. There should also be fines. It still has to be clarified how the regulation is to be implemented in the school buses. “The schoolchildren shouldn’t have to stay at home because they can’t get on the bus.” According to Göring-Eckardt, there should also be a 2G rule for exercising indoor sports.
From the federal-state summit planned for Thursday, the “common sign” should go out, “2G and 2G-Plus to agree nationwide,” said Göring-Eckardt. “We create this possibility in the law.” Then the countries should apply them too. The “traffic light” is now presenting something that corresponds to the reality and the drama of the situation, but also to the advice of scientists.