Merkel’s last MPK: the federal and state governments decide on lockdown for unvaccinated people

Merkel’s last MPK
The federal and state governments decide on lockdown for unvaccinated people

The federal-state conference resolves contact restrictions for unvaccinated people and an expansion of the 2G rule. The outgoing Chancellor Merkel says the situation is serious. A general compulsory vaccination could apply from February.

At a joint conference, the federal and state governments decided on extensive restrictions for unvaccinated people. The Executive Chancellor Angela Merkel says after her presumably last Prime Minister’s Conference (MPK), “that the situation in our country is serious as far as the corona pandemic is concerned”.

The group had spoken of an “act of national solidarity”, “so that we get falling numbers of infections and not overload our health system, but rather relieve it”. The fourth wave must be broken, said Merkel.

Clubs and discos are to be closed from a seven-day incidence of 350, nationwide masking requirements are to be introduced in schools. The 2G rule, which is already in force in some countries, is being expanded nationwide and applies regardless of the respective incidence. Furthermore, there should be contact restrictions for unvaccinated people. In fact, this is a lockdown for the unvaccinated.

Vaccination will probably be compulsory from February

The vaccination status will not be permanently recognized in the event of a double vaccination, said Merkel. It is also being discussed at EU level that the second vaccination will lose its validity after nine months, so the boosting is very important. The transition will be such that everyone has a chance to renew their vaccination status.

A general compulsory vaccination should be discussed and decided in the German Bundestag, said Merkel. The ethics council should make a recommendation on this. A general compulsory vaccination could take effect from February 2022. The way out of the pandemic is vaccination, which is why this decision has to be made now, “at least that’s my conviction,” said Merkel.

Merkel’s successor Olaf Scholz, who is to be elected Chancellor in the Bundestag next Wednesday, said: “I am glad that we are working together in this difficult situation, that party politics are taking a back seat and the health of the citizens is in the foreground of common political endeavors – this is how it should continue for the near future. “

Scholz calls for vaccinations

Scholz repeated his goal of 30 million corona vaccinations by Christmas. “It’s a big logistical challenge,” he said. Those who have not yet done so should bring themselves to be vaccinated.

In addition, Scholz affirmed that there should be a facility-related vaccination obligation, for example for employees in elderly care and in clinics. The SPD politician also said that the Bundestag should vote on a general vaccination requirement. “From my point of view, there should also be such a decision by the Bundestag,” said Scholz.

The sale of fireworks on New Year’s Eve is to be banned, as it was a year ago, said the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Conference, NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst. There should be a ban on fireworks at public places.

To contain the corona pandemic, dentists, pharmacists and nursing staff should also be allowed to vaccinate against the virus in the future. According to the decision of the federal and state governments, the federal government will significantly expand the group of authorized persons.

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