Covid-19: Germany to introduce restrictions for the unvaccinated

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Minister of Finance and future successor Olaf Sholz (left) during a conference with a videoconference with the leaders of the German Federal States on November 18, 2021 in Berlin.

© AFP - MICHAEL KAPPELER

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The country is hit hard by a fourth wave of Covid-19 and the number of infections is increasing exponentially.

In several regions, hospital capacities are reaching their limit.

Additional restrictions were adopted this Thursday, November 18.

Many measures constitute a severe turn of the screw for the unvaccinated.

But Germany must also urgently strive to improve an insufficient vaccination rate.

The latter should become compulsory for staff in hospitals and retirement homes.

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With our correspondent in Berlin,

Pascal Thibaut

Three, six, nine ... This new trilogy must now play a central role in the fight against the pandemic.

The number of Covid-19 patients per 100,000 hospitalized inhabitants becomes the central criterion.

When these thresholds are reached, additional restrictions apply.

Beyond three - this is the case in twelve out of sixteen regions - only people who have been vaccinated or cured will have access to restaurants, bars and other cultural places.

One test is no longer enough.

The unvaccinated see their activities reduced.

Beyond six, even people who have been vaccinated or cured should be tested.

If the situation in hospitals is even more dramatic, closures of shops or restaurants in the regions concerned are no longer excluded.

On the other hand, the new device excludes general containment.

Read also: Covid-19 in Germany, the army called in to help hospitals

Vaccination obligation for caregivers

The future majority associating Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals, not yet in office, had a new law adopted in Parliament.

This Thursday afternoon, a conference brought together Chancellor Merkel, who manages current affairs and regional leaders.

Other restrictions: a health pass will now be necessary in public transport as for employees at their place of work.

For a long time taboo, an obligation of vaccination for the nursing staff must be introduced.

Systematic tests for staff and visitors to nursing homes will be introduced.

Germany suffers from a too low vaccination rate, at 67%.

Politicians make regular appeals to the most recalcitrant.

The priority now seems to be to generalize the booster vaccine doses much more quickly and to take charge of adolescents.

To read also: In Germany, a fourth wave of Covid-19 and vaccinations which are trampling

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  • Germany

  • Angela Merkel

  • Coronavirus

  • Vaccines

  • Confinement