Germany: CDU demands return of ‘pandemic status’ at national level

The return to the “pandemic state” at the national level is suggested by the L κραnder under the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) government in view of today’s meeting of Chancellor Olaf Soltz with the Prime Ministers of the L κραnder, which will take new decisions to manage the crisis.

In anticipation of a rapid increase in Omicron cases, Christian Democrat governments are calling for a resumption of the state of emergency, which has been lifted since November 25 by the parties in the new coalition, according to RND. This framework allows for immediate and unified decisions for the whole country. In practice, it makes it easier to impose a lockdown, suspend operations and cancel events locally and nationally in the event of a worsening epidemiological situation. “The Council of Experts calls for a swift response to the dynamic developments at all times, with additional safeguards in place. This calls for the Federal Parliament to broaden its options for addressing the epidemic by setting a national epidemic,” the statement said. the CDU Prime Ministers in the recent resolution tabled today in the government.

The same proposal also mentions a delay in promoting the arrangements required for the imposition of the previously announced mandatory general vaccination in February. The issue is causing problems in the ruling coalition, mainly due to the cautionary attitude of the Liberals (FDP) and is developing at the peak of the CDU opposition tactics. “For me, preventive action on the pandemic includes preparation by the federal government for compulsory vaccination. I think the government in Berlin is now being asked to clarify the issue and submit a plan. The chancellor has announced mandatory vaccination for this February. “It should be,” North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Vust told Phoenix and the Rheinische Post. “The chancellor is not taking the lead, he is waiting to see how things turn out,” said CDU parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus.

According to the draft decision leaked to the German media, the federal government and the states intend to impose the 2G + rule (access for vaccinated / patients with fast antigen test up to 24 hours) for restaurants across the country. Only those who have already completed the booster vaccination against Covid-19 will have free access. The president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Dehoga) Ingrid Hartges criticized the plan, warning that it would lead half the companies in the industry to “existential risk”. Speaking to BILD, Ms. Hartges also stressed that the focus should not be used as an incentive to persuade citizens to proceed with booster vaccination.

The draft decisions that are expected to be taken today also include a provision to limit the duration of quarantine and to increase diagnostic tests in schools.