Wednesday July 28, 2021
SPD leader in the “early start”
Esken supports compulsory testing for travelers returning
The SPD was actually skeptical about a general test obligation after trips abroad. The party leader Esken is now for it. She doesn’t believe in a vaccination bonus.
The SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken supports the short-term introduction of mandatory testing for travelers returning from all countries and on all transport routes. “I am absolutely in favor of us taking a close look at travelers,” said Esken in the “early start” on ntv. “It can be seen very clearly that traveling abroad involves risks.” Returnees would possibly bring in the Delta or other variants. “That’s why we have to look very carefully that we also protect ourselves from the big wave sloshing in over Germany again.” Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder announced on Tuesday evening that the federal government was planning the mandatory tests from Sunday, August 1st.
On the question of why the federal government hastily issued such a test obligation within days, as in the previous year, Esken referred to insufficient vaccination success. “We assumed that we would be further with the vaccination – which is already very far advanced. We weren’t as good as we would have liked.” Therefore, a test is now necessary. “It is good that we are reacting quickly now.” Controls on motorways and in trains or stations should be organized at short notice.
The SPD chairwoman spoke out against using the 7-day incidence as the sole benchmark for corona measures in the future. The occupancy of the intensive care units and, above all, the progress of the vaccination must also be taken into account. She believes that new warning values for the incidence are necessary. “The incidences should be assessed differently if the vaccination numbers are high.” However, it is not politicians but experts who have to set new warning values, according to Esken.
Is the federal emergency brake coming back?
She did not generally rule out a comeback of the federal emergency brake. That also depends on what the prime ministers’ conference in August is agreeing to. A comparable approach in the federal states is important. “Then a federal emergency brake is not necessary. It is only needed when clarity has to be established at the federal level.”
Esken expressed concern about the slow rate of vaccination in Germany. However, it is against paying a premium of, for example, 100 euros as an incentive. Then those who had already been vaccinated would ask why they had not also received a bonus. Instead, people should be better informed that enough vaccine is now available. Many do not have a family doctor. Mobile vaccinations are needed in busy places. “The vaccinations have to go to the people now if the people don’t come for the vaccination.”
At the moment there are around 15 million unused vaccination doses in the refrigerators in Germany. Esken believes that short-term donations to poorer countries are possible. “If that is the case, then we really have to make such considerations.” Germany has a duty, but also an interest in vaccinations worldwide. “We have to ensure that vaccines are available all over the world, and donations and support for poorer countries are required.” First of all, however, it is a matter of increasing the vaccination rate in this country.
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