Federal and state resolutions: Pressure on unvaccinated people is growing

In the fight against a fourth wave of pandemics, the federal and state governments are increasing the pressure on those who have not been vaccinated. Those who do not get vaccinated have to be prepared for more compulsory tests from October in order to gain access to hospitals, sports and cultural events or hotels and restaurants, for example. In addition, the nationwide offer of free corona tests will be abolished on October 11th. This was decided by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the Prime Ministers of the federal states in their video switching conference on Tuesday. For people who cannot be vaccinated, such as pregnant women and children, there should still be the option of a free rapid test.

Merkel said in the press conference that followed: “We have to advertise that vaccinations are used.” When it comes to vaccination rates, Germany is no longer at the top in a European comparison. 55.1 percent of Germans are currently fully vaccinated. “It would be very, very good, we would be well over 70 percent,” said the Chancellor. Berlin’s governing mayor Michael Müller (SPD) said the group of unvaccinated people was undoubtedly too large, “that is bitter”.

Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) warned of a “pandemic of the unvaccinated”. He said: “If you don’t get vaccinated, you are responsible.” The taxpayer could not pay for huge amounts of tests in the long run, but the state could no longer withhold basic rights from completely vaccinated persons. At the same time, Söder promised: “There will no longer be a lockdown like this, definitely not for those who have been vaccinated twice.” North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister and Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet had already ruled out another lockdown in the state parliament in Düsseldorf on Tuesday morning: “We want, have to and will prevent a new lockdown,” he said.

In order to avoid a further increase in the number of infections, in accordance with the 3-G rule (access only for vaccinated, recovered or tested people), access to indoor events will be limited from 23 August. The 3-G rule will explicitly not apply to church services, said Armin Laschet. A church service is something different than a visit to a disco, it is about the basic right to practice one’s religion. However, the federal states can suspend the rule in whole or in part as long as the seven-day incidence in a district is stable below 35. At the same time, political decisions are to be made according to new guidelines in the future. So far, the seven-day incidence has always been the relevant benchmark for tightening measures. The federal and state governments now want to partially break away from this and, in addition to the incidence, also take a closer look at other values: including the vaccination rate, the number of serious disease courses and the occupancy of the clinics.

The Bund-Länder-Round also advocated an extension of the epidemic situation of national scope beyond September 11, 2021. However, this must be decided by the Bundestag.

To cope with the flood disaster, the Chancellor and the Prime Ministers agreed on a national aid fund of 30 billion euros. It is to be decided at a special session of the Bundestag on August 25th.