Wednesday 4th August 2021
Suggestions from the Spahn Ministry
FDP speaks of “the most brazen breach of word”
What will happen to the pandemic measures in Germany? The Federal Ministry of Health is looking at autumn and winter, proposing, among other things, an extension of the mask requirement and an end to paid tests. FDP Vice Kubicki is outraged by the plans.
From the FDP there is sharp criticism of the Federal Ministry of Health’s plans for further corona requirements in the next few months and an end to free corona tests. Party Vice-President Wolfgang Kubicki accuses the federal government of breaking a word in the “Bild-Zeitung” newspaper. In terms of purpose and effect, if the government excludes unvaccinated people from social life, it is tantamount to a direct vaccination requirement.
In a report by the ministry, which was sent to the federal states and the Bundestag, it says that further corona requirements are necessary to contain a new large wave of infections. Due to the advanced vaccination campaign, protective measures could be more moderate than last autumn and winter.
On August 10th, Chancellor Angela Merkel will consult with the Prime Minister on how to proceed in the pandemic. The ministry report mentions continued compliance with hygiene measures and the need to wear a medical protective mask “until spring 2022”, particularly in local and long-distance public transport and in retail – “for everyone, including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered”.
Access only with 3G rule
With a view to protective measures, the ministry explains that vaccination and testing have a high probability of preventing people with a high and thus infectious viral load from entering a room. “Therefore, regardless of the incidence, from the beginning / middle of September 2021, participation in certain events throughout Germany should generally only be possible if the 3G rule is complied with.” Indoor catering, hotel accommodation, body-hugging services, sports and indoor events as well as large indoor and outdoor events are mentioned.
Kubicki said: “The announcement that it intends to exclude unvaccinated people from visiting restaurants in the future is the most brazen and devastating breach of word by this federal government, which has repeatedly sworn stone and leg that there will be no compulsory vaccination in Germany this threatened compulsory vaccination. ” The FDP politician also raised the question of why the federal government’s plan applies to restaurants, “but not also to talk shows, CDU party conventions or company meetings”.
The 3G rule means that everyone present must either be vaccinated, recovered, or tested. Contrary to what Kubicki said, people who had not been vaccinated would also have further access to indoor catering.
The end of the free trials is coming – but when?
The Federal Ministry of Health is also proposing an end to the free corona rapid tests for all citizens in mid-October. Since everybody can now be offered a direct vaccination offer, permanent assumption of costs by the taxpayer is not indicated, according to a ministry report. It is therefore proposed that the federal government end the offer of free citizen tests for everyone in mid-October – around October 11 or 18. Only for people who cannot be vaccinated or for whom there is no general vaccination recommendation, such as pregnant women or children and adolescents, should there continue to be free rapid tests. The FDP is also defending itself against this advance. Party vice Kubicki called this in the “Passauer Neue Presse” “a means of pressure to force people to vaccinate” and “extremely anti-social”.
The last word has not yet been spoken either. The chairman of the conference of health ministers, Bavaria’s head of department Klaus Holetschek, is in favor of an end to the free corona rapid tests, but does not want to give a specific point in time. “I support the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Health to make corona rapid tests chargeable for a certain target group at the given time,” said Holetschek.
However, he emphasized: “The exact point in time will still have to be discussed at the federal-state level in the conference of health ministers.” The CSU politician said that no one should still have to pay for a test that could not be vaccinated for medical reasons or that was suspected of being corona. “Free tests for people who refuse to vaccinate or who are not vaccinated should not be permanent,” he argued. “It cannot and must not be that the freedom of the individual not to be vaccinated is financed by all members of the community of solidarity.”
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