Corona lockdown: Merkel names three opening "strands" - FDP calls for regulation based on the Austrian model

Before the Corona summit, the political scramble for possible easing is great.

Chancellor Merkel warns of a "third wave" - ​​and is still planning a step-by-step plan to open it up.

• The next Corona summit is scheduled for the next Wednesday (March 3).

• The main focus will be on possible easing - and whether that is possible in view of the ever-increasing mutation.

• This news ticker is updated regularly.

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Update from February 24th, 7.43am

: "When testing we have to press the tube, not the brake": With a regulation for rapid tests based on the Austrian model, the FDP wants to pave the way for gradual easing of the corona pandemic.

That said the deputy Andrew Ullmann, professor at the Institute for Infectiology in Würzburg and FDP chairman in the health committee, the

dpa

.

A corresponding application is to be submitted to the Bundestag this week.

The aim is for manufacturers to "confirm by means of a simple and unbureaucratic self-commitment that a corresponding level of safety and performance is achieved when using them themselves and that the functionality and suitability for use for the planned purpose is guaranteed".

However, an approval procedure should then be carried out.

“The federal government would like to allow self-tests to be approved using the conventional procedure.

However, that takes four to eight weeks, ”criticized Ullmann.

“If we don't provide market access for self-tests soon, the market will be empty.

Then, as with vaccinations, we are back in last place. ”Test results would have to be verified and documented via the Corona warning app in order to allow more freedom.

End of the endless lockdown?

Merkel speaks of the "third wave" - ​​but also names three opening "strands"

Our first report from February 23

: Berlin - Around a week before the next federal-state summit, the debate about possible easing of the corona restrictions is picking up speed.

One of the voices warning against a further weakening of the requirements was the intensive care physicians on Tuesday.

The hospitality industry, however, called for the federal and state governments to develop a "realistic" scenario for the reopening of this industry.

The lockdown, which has been in effect since mid-December, is currently limited to the Sunday after next.

In view of the recent increase in the number of infections, the federal government is currently skeptical about possible further easing.

On Tuesday, the incidence of new infections per 100,000 population fell slightly in seven days, but remained just over 60.

Corona easing after federal-state summit?

Merkel urges caution

Merkel urged caution in a meeting of the Union parliamentary group in view of the increasing numbers.

It will not do anyone a favor "if we close what we once opened," said Merkel, according to participants on Tuesday at the meeting of the CDU / CSU parliamentary group.

“We cannot define away the fact that we now have a third wave.” She nevertheless presented possible steps for the gradual exit from lockdown.

The Chancellor also specified her ideas for cautious opening steps in combination with increased testing options.

There are three strands that you want to open step by step, said Merkel, according to information from the

German Press Agency

.

The Chancellor named the personal contact restrictions as well as the education and economic sectors.

Corona lockdown: emergency physicians demand faster vaccinations - Lauterbach sees third wave underway

The German Society for Internal Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine issued an urgent warning in March of major loosening.

Its chairman Christian Karagiannidis told the

Rheinische Post

that, according to calculations, the vaccinations were not yet fast enough to prevent a third corona wave.

The federal and state governments should be careful not to "lose the game in extra time".

According to the SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach, the third wave of the coronavirus is already unstoppable.

He therefore asked the

Passauer Neue Presse

to postpone further opening steps.

Green parliamentary leader Anton Hofreiter also urged caution.

In Berlin, he referred to the further spread of more dangerous variants of the corona virus.

Therefore, there is a risk "that we will enter a third wave despite the measures," he said.

Union parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus expressed himself similarly.

The CDU politician said that he was very much in favor of going "step by step".

It must be avoided to loosen up now and to take another step back in four weeks.

Corona easing?

Restaurant association calls for the development of opening scenarios

The German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) demanded the rapid development of opening scenarios from the federal and state governments.

The hospitality industry now has "a right to a realistic opening perspective in the coming weeks," said Dehoga Managing Director Ingrid Hartges of the

Rheinische Post

.

Berlin's Governing Mayor Michael Müller also called for concrete opening perspectives.

It must at least be agreed: "What happens when," said Müller on

ZDF

.

A great many people would accept it if they "know what will be possible in three or four weeks".

Video: Survey: Different opinions on corona easing

SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich supported demands not to make the incidence value the sole yardstick for restrictions or openings.

These are "important as a guide," said Mützenich in Berlin.

But "further criteria are required" such as the capacity utilization of the intensive care beds or the number of tests carried out.

Germany in corona lockdown: Merkel relies on a step-by-step plan

Merkel herself is obviously relying on a step-by-step plan for the gradual exit from lockdown.

In the internal CDU deliberations, the Chancellor is said to have named personal contacts, schools, sports, restaurants and culture with a view to easing the situation.

FDP General Secretary Volker Wissing urged that the top federal-state talks be brought forward.

"The entire society longs for a return to something normal," he told the

Heilbronn voice

.

Entrepreneurs in particular feared for their existence.

Left parliamentary group deputy Jan Korte insisted on an approach coordinated with parliament.

(

fmü / AFP / dpa

)