The Bundestag and Bundesrat are expected to decide on March 18 how long-term corona policy should continue. There is disagreement in the government.
Berlin – The current corona protection measures will expire nationwide on March 19th. There is currently still disagreement in the traffic light coalition about the Corona policy that is to follow. Some politicians are calling for a “basic level of protection” that should only include a few measures, while others warn against relaxing too much. The leader of the Greens parliamentary group, Britta Haßelmann, emphasized that “a suitable set of protective measures” would also be needed beyond March 19.
According to Haßelmann, even after March 19, measures “must be flexibly applicable so that a short-term and precise increase in protection is possible in the event of a possible deterioration in the situation.” So that municipalities, cities and federal states can continue to be able to act in pandemic management, the Infection Protection Act must include a basis are created.
Traffic light coalition: different opinions on further corona measures
The designated FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai meanwhile emphasizes that all “profound, blanket and fundamental rights-restricting measures” must be dropped. Opposite of New Osnabrück newspaper he said that “such freedom-restricting measures” should not be “permanently, so to speak, in reserve” repeatedly extended. Should the infection process change substantially again, the Bundestag would be able to act. If necessary, selective and targeted measures are still possible.
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) spoke out in favor of strictly limiting the protective measures from March 20th. Opposite of Rhenish Post he specified his idea: “At the moment, only measures with a high degree of effectiveness and a low level of intervention intensity seem conceivable to me. In particular, these could be test strategies and the obligation to wear masks in special situations.”
Corona “basic protection”: vote in the Bundestag and Bundesrat on March 18th
The President of the German Teachers’ Association, Heinz-Peter Meidinger, warned against easing too quickly. NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) in turn recalled a general obligation to vaccinate and the associated debate.
At the federal-state conference on Wednesday, it was decided to let most of the corona measures expire on March 19. However, certain measures such as the obligation to wear masks on buses and trains and a distance requirement should continue to apply. This could also include compulsory testing, for example in old people’s or nursing homes. The federal states also demand “the obligation to provide evidence of the vaccination, convalescent and test status”.
Infection Protection Act again in focus
In order to be able to further define these measures, the Infection Protection Act must be amended. The change should be discussed in the Bundestag by March 16 at the latest. It could then be decided by the Bundestag and Bundesrat on March 18th. (at/dpa)
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