The Bundestag should advise on Corona measures

Berlin The struggle for additional Corona crisis measures continues this week around the planned election of the future Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the Bundestag. The traffic light partners SPD, Greens and FDP want to bring the planned vaccination requirement for staff in facilities with vulnerable people such as nursing homes and clinics through parliament, which is expected to take effect from mid-March 2022.

A draft submitted to the German Press Agency provides, among other things, vaccination authorizations for pharmacists and dentists as well as more precise possible tougher restrictions in regional corona hot spots. There are also suggestions from the federal states.

Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) again campaigned for contact restrictions also for vaccinated people in the period after the holidays. “It is clear that there will be numerous family contacts over Christmas. According to all experience, they will cause a number of infections again, “he told the” world “. It is therefore worth considering “whether the associated infection dynamics should not be mitigated by a limited break.”

The next Prime Minister’s Conference is scheduled for Thursday. This is likely to be followed by a meeting with Scholz, who wants to be elected Chancellor in the Bundestag on Wednesday.

In parliament, further regulations are to be discussed and resolved with two extra sessions on Tuesday and Friday, as it was said from circles of the traffic light groups. The SPD, FDP and the Greens want to introduce a draft that will then be discussed further. Here is an overview:

• Special vaccination requirement: In facilities such as clinics or nursing homes there are “still relevant vaccine picks after a vaccination campaign lasting several months,” says the draft. Employees should therefore have to submit proof of being fully vaccinated or recovered to the management by March 15, 2022 – or doctor’s certificates that they cannot be vaccinated. Anyone starting from March 16, must have proof. It should also apply to staff in medical practices and emergency services.
• More vaccinations: In addition to doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians and dentists should also be entitled to vaccinations for people aged 12 and over for a limited period. Prior medical training and suitable premises or involvement in mobile vaccination teams should be a prerequisite. Sample training concepts should be developed by December 31st.
• Stricter regional measures I: In the event of a very critical situation, the federal states can – after a parliamentary resolution – impose stricter restrictions on leisure or sport. Exit restrictions, general shop and school closings are excluded after a first traffic light law. Now, according to the draft, it should be specified that gatherings and events that are not protected demonstrations can be prohibited – especially sporting events with a larger audience. It should be made clear that it is possible to close catering facilities and bans on congresses – but fitness centers and swimming pools may not be closed.
• Stricter regional measures II: Shortly before the end of the “epidemic situation of national importance” on November 25, individual countries had decided on more comprehensive, tougher measures on this old legal basis. These can remain in force until December 15th. According to the draft, this deadline will be extended to February 15.
• Test obligations: Test obligations have already been set for employees and visitors in medical practices, clinics and nursing homes. According to the draft, it should now be specified that patients and “accompanying persons who only enter the facility or company for an insignificant period of time” are not considered visitors – that is, parents at the pediatrician or assistants for people with disabilities. There had been confusion and criticism about this in some countries.
• Clinics: The aim is to regulate compensation payments to clinics, for example for beds that have been kept free or for stress caused by patient relocation.

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