NewsCorona and no end? Lauterbach sees "summer wave" rolling...

Corona and no end? Lauterbach sees "summer wave" rolling towards Germany

All “far-reaching” corona rules are actually supposed to fall on March 20 – but Health Minister Lauterbach is now warning. He sees a “summer wave” coming.

Berlin – Germany is currently enjoying the new easing that came into effect on March 4th. The anticipation of March 20th, when further Corona * measures are to be dropped, and the summer are great. But Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach * (SPD) is not so relaxed and easygoing. He is currently warning of an increase in corona numbers in the summer. He advocates maintaining far-reaching protection options beyond March 20th. “We have to expect a summer wave,” Lauterbach told the Funke newspapers on Saturday.

In his estimation, both the delta and the omicron variant* are so infectious that even in good weather, an increase in the number of infections can be expected due to many contacts and the declining vaccination protection. Lauterbach is therefore calling for the Infection Protection Act to be amended accordingly. On Friday (March 4th, 2022), the relaxation of the corona measures came into force nationwide, affecting restaurants, discotheques and events in particular. However, these regulations will already expire on March 19th. Because only up to this point in time does the Infection Protection Act allow the previous corona restrictions.

Corona in Germany: According to Lauterbach, March 20 will not be “Freedom Day”

In principle, the federal and state governments agree that a certain level of basic protection should continue to be maintained from March 20th – but there has not yet been any agreement on exactly what it should look like. Lauterbach had already stated that March 20th in Germany was not “Freedom Day”, as it already was in numerous other European countries such as Great Britain or Denmark.

For the Minister of Health, this includes above all the obligation to wear masks and contact restrictions: “It should be possible to set upper limits for private meetings and public events as well as access rules for restaurants, for example, i.e. 2G or 2G Plus regulations.” According to the Minister of Health, the federal states have these measures give us the opportunity to react to the coming waves at an early stage. However, the instruments should only be used when they are actually necessary.

Bundesgesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) mahnt bezüglich der geplanten weiteren Corona-Lockerungen zur Vorsicht - er befürchtet eine „Sommerwelle“. (Archivbild).

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Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) warns of caution regarding the planned further relaxation of the corona virus – he fears a “summer wave”. (archive image).

Corona measures in Germany: criticism of the schedule for the new infection protection law

Meanwhile, there is criticism of the schedule for the new Infection Protection Act. The traffic light coalition has planned a very tight schedule for changing the existing Infection Protection Act, reports Merkur.de*. Accordingly, a draft should be decided on March 9th, which will then be heard by the Health Committee on March 14th and presented to Parliament on March 16th. A debate of just 70 minutes is planned for the second and third reading before the vote. Infection control lawyer Andrea Kießling describes the procedure on Twitter as “urgent and hasty”.

The Minister of Health believes it is possible that the corona virus will remain for several decades: “I’m pretty sure we’ll get an autumn wave. And even after that Corona will keep us busy for a long time – a decade or more.” He pointed out that HIV appeared 40 years ago – “and it’s still there”. Lauterbach said: “We always have to reckon with corona variants, and there can also be dangerous variants.”

Is the Corona summer wave coming? Lauterbach is again campaigning for a general obligation to vaccinate

In view of its gloomy summer forecast and the continued stagnation of the vaccination campaign in Germany, Lauterbach is again promoting a general agreement on general vaccination requirements*. “We should join forces,” said the SPD politician to the newspapers of the Funke media group. “Compulsory vaccination has a chance when those who want to spare us a severe autumn wave with new restrictions come together.”

Lauterbach said: “If we could now agree on a joint application, then we would also be willing to approach the Union.” He therefore recommends all applicants for general vaccination to support a joint application. “I also appeal personally to the Union parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz to help here in the service of the health of the population.” (Your material from AFP and dpa) *hna.de and merkur.de are offers from IPPEN.MEDIA.

List of rubrics: © Wolfgang Kumm/dpa

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