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Markus Söder (left), Angela Merkel and Michael Müller after the discussions on further measures of the corona pandemic on January 5th, 2021
Photo:
Michael Kappeler / dpa
The federal and state governments are discussing further measures before the next Corona conference.
The situation is confusing: the numbers are falling and are below those of the run-up to Christmas.
But at the same time there are new dangers from very infectious virus mutations from Great Britain and South Africa.
Many questions are open.
Only one thing seems certain: the shutdown is to be extended until mid-February.
Chancellor Angela Merkel reached an agreement with the country leaders on Friday to bring the conference, which was actually planned for January 25, forward to next Tuesday at 2 p.m.
On Monday lunchtime, the heads of the state chancelleries prepare the round, and in the evening, as two weeks ago, there will be an expert hearing with the prime ministers.
According to SPIEGEL information, the Chancellery is calling for a hard lockdown.
Germany is only eight weeks ahead of Great Britain, where the spread has increased significantly due to the mutated corona virus.
According to SPIEGEL information, a majority in the countries led by the Union is in favor of tougher measures.
Not all countries want a hard lockdown
In the A countries, i.e. the SPD-led countries plus Thuringia, a renewed tightening is being discussed critically.
SPD circles say that many measures are too small-scale or far removed from life.
In addition, there must first be clarity about the spread and effect of the mutated virus, according to a switching conference of the heads of the state chancelleries (CDS) from the A countries.
According to SPIEGEL information, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania agreed to support all tough measures if it was proven that the mutation was very bad.
Thuringia supported this position, Rhineland-Palatinate called for measures for all areas of life, not just for schools and private contacts.
- A tightening of the
contact restrictions
is viewed critically by several SPD countries because they are difficult to control and lead to acceptance problems in the population.
As an alternative, also
curfews
discussed.
- In principle, the SPD states can imagine introducing an
FFP2 mask requirement
nationwide, for example in local public transport.
For this, the masks would have to be available everywhere and made available to Hartz recipients and low-income earners free of charge.
- As before, significantly fewer Germans work from
home
than during the first shutdown.
The Federal Ministry of Finance informed the A-countries at the CDS conference that the Federal President was planning an appeal to employers and unions to give employees full access to home offices, as in the spring.
Should this appeal fade, the federal government will examine an obligation to give reasons for employers who refuse to work from home.
The SPD states see this as an important starting point if one wants to keep the schools closed.
A distinction must be made between office workplaces and production.
New delay in vaccine deliveries
In the Bundeswehr, however, the mobilization for the
test offensive in old people's and nursing homes has
fully started.
Even before the letter from Chancellery Minister Helge Braun was sent, the state commandos instructed that forces should be kept ready for the operation across Germany.
The instruction says slightly wooden that the troops are "the link that has to implement the will of the Chancellor in the area
."
Specifically, the directive puts many troops in a heightened state of readiness, so they should start testing faster in rural districts and cities.
The commanders on site should "proactively approach your contact person immediately" and enable any support.
Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer is relying on speed.
She had been criticized by the "Bild" for allegedly assigning too few soldiers for emergency aid.
Another controversial issue is the sluggish course of
vaccinations
.
On Friday, Pfizer announced that it would not be able to fully meet the delivery of the vaccine for the next three to four weeks due to renovations at a plant in Belgium.
In a conference call between Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn and the State Health Ministers with a representative from Biontech, the politicians expressed their displeasure.
It is expected that the EU Commission will create clarity and security for further deliveries as soon as possible in the negotiations with Pfizer.
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