With a view to the infection process in the coming autumn, the health ministers of the federal states insist on timely, coordinated preparation – but there is disagreement in the traffic light coalition.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) soon wants to present a concept for combating Corona in autumn. He told Bayerischer Rundfunk in a broadcast interview:
“In a few days, in a short time, I will present a plan that I have also coordinated very closely with the Federal Chancellery on how to manage the pandemic in the fall.”
For example, purchases of adapted vaccines are being prepared, he explained. Vaccination centers would be kept open so they could be used immediately. In addition, a vaccination campaign with creative approaches is being prepared. And the reporting of corona patients in hospitals to the Robert Koch Institute should be accelerated. Sick people should also get medication quickly.
Demand for a “master plan”
On Monday, the health ministers of the federal states had pushed for timely preparations for a new corona wave in Germany from autumn. For example, a “master plan” coordinated with the federal states and an adjustment to the Infection Protection Act were required. In a resolution passed unanimously by the federal states, the federal government was asked to initiate the legislative process as soon as possible.
The recently amended Infection Protection Act runs until September 23rd. General mask requirements for events or when shopping as well as 2G and 3G regulations have therefore been eliminated since the beginning of April. For the time being, “basic protection” applies – for example with mask requirements in buses, trains, clinics, practices and nursing homes. Irrespective of state requirements, however, there are also further protection rules with mask requirements in many places, for example in cultural institutions.
No “freedom restrictions in reserve” with the FDP
In the traffic light coalition, however, there is disagreement about how to proceed. The health policy spokesman for the Greens, Janosch Dahmen, told the newspapers of the Funke media group: “The Infection Protection Act must be reformed by September 23 at the latest so that the federal and state governments have sufficient measures available for emergencies.”
Precautions include that in the event of a new wave, the 2G and 3G rules, the obligation to wear masks indoors and the obligation to test in certain risk areas can be reactivated in good time.
On the other hand, FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr told the newspapers of the Funke media group: “There will be no restrictions on freedom with the FDP.” It is true that one has to prepare for the fall. “But for this we don’t have to reactivate the measures from the Infection Protection Act, which were not able to contain the last wave.” What is needed, for example, is better digitization, more creative vaccination offers and more prevention in authorities and schools.
