Actually, March 20th was understood by many as the German “Freedom Day”. In view of the high number of cases, the great freedom could still be delayed.
Berlin – Anyone who is currently looking at the daily new infections with the corona virus * at the beginning of spring 2022 might find the thought of a German “Freedom Day” a bit premature. At least Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) seems to see it that way. He now spoke out in favor of not letting the protective measures expire on March 20th, but called on the federal states to use the transitional period until April 2nd.
In regions with a high seven-day incidence *, the countries could then fall back on the planned hotspot regulations, according to Lauterbach. “The countries have to tackle it. Some states, such as Brandenburg, have now done so. They go forward and say: We’re extending almost everything we have, and then we’ll take the new hotspot regulations,” said Lauterbach on Tuesday (March 15) in the ARD “Morgenmagazin”.
Corona loosening: will March 20th become German “Freedom Day” or not?
After March 19, there should only be a mask requirement* in nursing homes, clinics and in local public transport and long-distance transport, if the traffic light government drafts it. In the event that the corona situation worsens again regionally, the federal states would have the option of introducing stricter rules by parliamentary decision, even if not all of the previously available ones.
On Wednesday, the Bundestag is to discuss the draft for the new legal basis presented by Lauterbach and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) for the first time. The new legal basis should then replace the current one, which will then expire.
Corona loosening: countries retain option for hotspot regulations
From April 2nd, the federal states would have to use the new hotspot regulations to get things under control, says Lauterbach. “They can – and if necessary, it can also mean that if the situation in an entire federal state is so precarious that an entire federal state declares itself a hotspot like Bavaria, for example, is now considering.” There will be no “Freedom Day” given, emphasized Lauterbach. “We are not in a position to drop all measures now.”
When asked whether changes to the Infection Protection Act are still possible, Lauterbach said: “Of course we are discussing, we also negotiated with the parliamentary groups late into the night yesterday. It continues today, changes are still possible. But I just want to defend what we have once again: if the hotspot rule is really used by everyone, then we can really do a lot with it.”
Especially in connection with the new omicron subtype BA.2, which is probably even more contagious than the first variant of the mutation, the topic of corona will probably not be a thing of the past after March 20th. At the same time, there are always new findings about the consequences of the disease. For example, Chinese scientists recently found a possible connection between severe Covid courses and the onset of dementia. (mda/dpa) *Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
