Under the impression of the unchecked increase in the corona numbers, more and more politicians in Germany are now calling for a general vaccination. Numerous federal states tightened their corona rules. From Wednesday, the 3G rule will apply throughout Germany in buses and trains as well as in the workplace. The value of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants remained just below the 400 mark. The number of free intensive care beds in the clinics fell by around 300 to almost 2,400. The majority of Germans now consider a new lockdown over Christmas to be likely.
Hesse’s Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) affirmed that the pandemic could not be brought under control without a general vaccination requirement. Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) said compulsory vaccination could also reduce the polarization of society: the state would then attract the conflict between those who support and oppose vaccination. Schleswig-Holstein’s Vice-Prime Minister Monika Heinold (Greens) called for mandatory vaccination at the turn of the year. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) has long been calling for a general vaccination. On Tuesday he also warned of a collapse of the health system.
The Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, Malu Dreyer (SPD), promoted an open-ended discussion. Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) sees such an obligation as a last resort. The managing health minister Jens Spahn (CDU) said, on the other hand, that the effect of a mandatory vaccination would come too late for the fourth wave. As one of the first FDP top politicians, NRW Family Minister Joachim Stamp was open to compulsory vaccination: a constitutional lawyer had convinced him.
Hamburg’s Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) does not rule out a general compulsory vaccination – but it is much more important for him to immediately introduce compulsory vaccinations in clinics and care facilities. The FDP had recently signaled that certain professional groups would give in to a possible corona vaccination. The SPD deputy parliamentary group leader Dirk Wiese said: “It makes sense to initiate a facility-related vaccination requirement before Christmas.”
Otherwise, the signs in Germany are pointing to tightening: Bavaria will be introducing contact restrictions for unvaccinated people from Wednesday. All clubs, discos and bars have to close, restaurants are only allowed to stay open until 10 p.m. Christmas markets are canceled. In addition, the 2G rule then applies almost everywhere – access only for vaccinated and convalescent people. In North Rhine-Westphalia, 2G will also apply across the board in the leisure sector from Wednesday. There will soon be a similar regulation in Berlin. (APA / Red)
