According to media reports, German health minister Jens Spahn wants to present a proposal for a legislative change before the federal election (Sept. 26) to remove the seven-day incidence as a criterion for measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. In view of the changed situation due to the number of vaccinated people in the country, he suggested the hospitalization rate should serve as the new parameter for future restrictions.
Since Aug. 23, Germany has – still based on the incidence rate – uniformly applied the ”3G rule” (”geimpft, genesen, getestet”) in certain indoor areas, which may then only be entered by persons who have been vaccinated, recovered, or currently tested negative. Examples include indoor dining, hair salons, gyms, swimming pools and nursing homes, as well as “services close to the body.” It is also stipulated that initially up to an incidence of 100, retail will remain generally open and there will also be no need for appointments. Existing requirements such as masks and a customer count limit remain in place. Spahn also told German media that there should be no further lockdown in Germany for vaccinated and recovered people unless a new variant develops against which the vaccines are not effective.
