The President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lothar Wieler, will resign on April 1.
This was announced by the RKI and the Federal Ministry of Health on Wednesday in Berlin.
The step was taken "at Wieler's own request" and in agreement with Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD).
Wieler wants to devote himself to "new tasks in research and teaching", the statement said.
Wieler expressed his gratitude for being able to work “in a prominent position together with a motivated team of excellent experts” during the pandemic.
The RKI “proved its excellence” during the Corona crisis.
The Federal Minister of Health said that Wieler had “rendered lasting and outstanding services to the country in overcoming the pandemic”.
He said he "greatly appreciated the trusting cooperation with him over the years".
That's why he regrets all the more that Wieler is leaving the RKI.
According to Lauterbach, the country would have come through this pandemic much worse without Wieler.
I would like to thank you very much for that, also on behalf of the entire Federal Government."
Wieler has been at the head of the RKI since March 2015, which played a central role in fighting the pandemic.
As the RKI announced, Wieler's task will be taken over by his deputy Lars Schaade during a transitional period.