The amendment to the Infection Protection Act planned by the traffic light government has been met with criticism in the federal states.

The compromise negotiated between Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) is also criticized by Prime Ministers whose parties are involved in the Federal Government.

Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Stefan Weil (SPD) said that in view of the very high incidences, it would be wrong to restrict the "tool box for containing the pandemic" now of all times.

Ruediger Soldt

Political correspondent in Baden-Württemberg.

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Don't throw away the fire extinguisher if it's still burning.

"The countries would lose numerous options for action that we consider necessary," said Weil.

This includes, for example, a general mask requirement for large crowds of people in closed rooms.

Kretschmann: Hardly any scope for quick intervention

The compromise was also sharply criticized in the green-black state government in Baden-Württemberg.

Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens), who is currently recovering from a corona infection himself, said in an interview with the FAZ: “I think it is grossly negligent if the federal government hands over effective instruments for emergencies without need.” Above all Wearing a mask remains “central” as an effective means, it will be massively curtailed with the draft.”

The "hotspot concept of the new Infection Protection Act" is far too complicated, the measures of the new law that have now been presented in a hurry are not an effective "basic catalogue", but merely a "trunk structure".

“This leaves the countries with little scope for quick, effective intervention.

But that's what matters.” The Expert Council explained this again in the most recent statement.

"Reaction speed is the decisive factor for successfully controlling the pandemic," said the Green Prime Minister.

Criticism also comes from the country's representative to the federal government, Rudi Hoogvliet.

The Greens politician criticizes the legislative process in particular: March 18 is scheduled for the final reading of the new Infection Protection Act, but the previous regulations expired on March 19.

The states would have little time to implement the new law with regulations: "This is not dealing with the states," said Hoogvliet of the "Badische Zeitung".

“We are dissatisfied with the matter because the countries are given too few possible measures.

But we are also dissatisfied with the process.”

The Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, Weil, also considers the draft amendment to the Infection Protection Act to be short-sighted: If nothing changes, if the vaccination rate in particular remains low, “then we will have problems again in the autumn”.

However, if you make a law today, you must also consider the situation in six months' time, said Weil.

Mützenich hints at changes

The Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) made a similar statement on Wednesday.

He called for improvements to be made to the Infection Protection Act "so that we don't run into difficult situations with our eyes wide open again in the fall".

The chairman of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Rolf Mützenich, indicated on Thursday that there could be further changes to the amendment passed by the cabinet.

"I believe that there will probably still have to be clarifications," he said before a special parliamentary group meeting in Berlin.

However, he does not see a major need for change.

Mützenich admitted that there had been a hard struggle "especially with the FDP", which advocates the greatest possible relaxation.