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Chancellor Angela Merkel at the integration summit
Photo: FABRIZIO BENSCH / AFP
According to Chancellor Angela Merkel, the corona crisis hits migrants particularly hard in Germany.
Immigrants could accept fewer educational and language offers because many would be canceled due to the corona, said Merkel at the beginning of the 12th integration summit, which this time took place virtually.
In addition, the economic downturn means that "many people with a history of immigration" have to worry about their jobs.
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil did not take part in the integration summit because he, like Integration State Minister Annette Widmann-Mauz, is in quarantine at home.
Widmann-Mauz therefore let himself be connected from home.
Heil was represented by Federal Family Minister Franziska Giffey.
According to Merkel, the meeting on Monday was mainly about questions of initial integration.
Immigrants keep the country going
Widmann-Mauz pointed out that in the corona crisis, many immigrants "keep the country going".
"That too is integration, and we have to strengthen that," emphasized Widmann-Mauz.
At the beginning of the pandemic, for example, the integration courses, which are the "heart of the integration measures", "had to be shut down almost completely," said Widmann-Mauz.
The courses were then slowly started again.
"We are still not moving in the area where we can say we will reach everyone".
She also called for greater emphasis on digitization.
Integration courses should be replaced by online courses, for example.
She also mentioned a digital street work program for women with which they can be reached quickly and in their mother tongue.
"Corona shows us how important the commitment to integration is," added the integration officer.
Be careful with cultural encounters
Last Thursday, Merkel, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn and Widmann-Mauz had already spoken to representatives of numerous migrant organizations in an online conference that was arranged at short notice.
In the digital meeting, according to participants, Spahn warned that the distance and hygiene rules should also be adhered to at "cultural and religious encounters".
Especially at meetings in closed rooms and at family celebrations in larger groups, there is a high risk of transmission, said the Minister of Health.
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srö / mfh / AFP / dpa
