The 2G rule will apply in Hessen from the middle of next week. According to this, from a hospitalization rate of three corona patients in clinics per 100,000 inhabitants, only those who have been vaccinated or recovered (2G) will have access to cultural and sporting events, restaurants or body-friendly services. In addition, there will be compulsory vaccinations for medical staff in hospitals and old people's homes. Hesse's Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) announced this on Thursday evening after the federal-state conference in the Wiesbaden State Chancellery. The state government's Corona Cabinet will meet on Friday to implement the decisions made jointly by the federal and state governments for Hesse. Bouffier expressed sharp criticism of the new infection protection law, which the Bundestag passed on Thursday. "I think this decision is wrong",said the Prime Minister. The population was given the impression that the epidemic emergency of national importance could be removed. Bouffier did not reveal how Hessen wants to vote on the Infection Protection Act in the Federal Council on Friday, but described the behavior of the traffic light coalition as "blackmail."

The federal-state conference was characterized by the endeavor, due to the extraordinary seriousness of the situation, to resolve measures that break the fourth wave. On the other hand, an attempt should be made to maintain life as much as possible. According to Bouffier, "significant measures" have been agreed. The 2G rule for indoor spaces is being introduced throughout Germany, the design of which is linked to the so-called hospitalization value. There will be three levels in the future. Level 1 begins with a hospitalization value of 3. Then 2G will be binding. From level 2 with a value of 6, the 2G plus rule applies. This means that those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered must also have an up-to-date and negative test. According to Bouffier, this can be a rapid antigen test. Which rules apply to level 3 from a value of 9,is not yet certain. In Hesse, the hospitalization value is currently around 4.8.

According to Bouffier, the compulsory vaccination should ensure that the employees who work in hospitals, mobile care for the elderly and nursing homes are actually vaccinated.

According to him, 30 to 50 percent of nursing staff are currently not immunized.

According to Bouffier, economic aid should be given to all people who suffer financial losses due to the new rules.

Because it could be necessary, for example at Christmas markets, to impose restrictions.

Then there will be economic losses.

"We are convinced that economic aid will also be needed in the future," the Prime Minister clarified.

This should be done unbureaucratically and should not take as long as with the November 2020 aid, which was only paid out in January 2021.

Police should control

In order to control the new rules, Hessen will also use the state police, because the municipal regulatory authorities cannot do this alone. This also applies to local public transport. It has not yet been decided, but when the Corona cabinet meets on Friday, it will also be about the test strategy in the schools.

With regard to the booster vaccinations, Bouffier announced that there will be bases throughout the country where vaccinations will be carried out. In his opinion, the doctors alone will not be able to do it after the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) has expanded its booster recommendation. The state bears the costs and Bouffier asked the federal government to reimburse half of the costs. The Prime Minister asked for understanding that the elderly should be boosted first. “A young person can wait three weeks if necessary,” he said.

Criticism came from the opposition.

The parliamentary group of the Left in the Hessian state parliament calls for a vaccination premium and compulsory testing for everyone in order to break the fourth wave.

The AfD described the measures as "beyond any proportionality" and criticized fundamental interference with the citizens' rights to freedom.

The FDP parliamentary group called on the state government to approve the new infection protection law in the Federal Council.

The Social Democrats are calling on the state government to introduce the 2G-Plus rule in all leisure areas.

The Hessian Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed concern, because the effort required to check the official access restrictions will be enormous for the companies.