It is the second Easter in Corona times.
In view of the number of cases, large family reunions are out of the question.
Merkel appeals to everyone with a view to the intensive care units.
Berlin - Easter is just around the corner, but it will be another festival in times of pandemics.
The third wave hit Germany, the number of corona infections is increasing.
The federal government and the states are trying to become master.
But the planned Easter rest was canceled, on the holidays the same rules apply as usual - no exceptions, for example as at Christmas with the contact restrictions.
Because the Easter days could possibly drive the infection process again and the intensive care units are already warning of overcrowding in the foreseeable future, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) used her video podcast from Thursday again to appeal for compliance with the rules.
Angela Merkel (CDU): "We had all wished for more freedom for Easter"
“Yes, unfortunately it will have to be another Easter with restrictions.
I know that there is also a great disappointment in that.
We had all wished for more freedom for Easter, ”she says.
The measures of the past months have shown success.
But: “A pandemic comes in waves.
And viruses change. ”So does the coronavirus.
The original virus is noticeably disappearing, a "more contagious, more dangerous mutation has taken its place".
The third wave could also be described as a “new pandemic”.
Therefore, the main goal is now, as it was a year ago and also at Christmas: "To protect the health of as many people as possible and to do everything so that our health system can withstand the enormous challenge." in intensive care units.
"I am very moved when I am told that they know exactly what to expect there," says the Chancellor.
"How they prepared for the beds in their wards to fill up again."
+
Angela Merkel in her video podcast
© Screenshot: Instagram / Federal Chancellor
Chancellor Merkel appeals: Avoid travel that is not compulsory, stick to the rules consistently
“But despite all the medical skills, you cannot win the fight against the virus in the hospitals alone.
That's why they hope for all of us.
We shouldn't leave them alone, we should support them with our behavior, ”calls on Merkel.
For the next few days, this mainly meant “that it should be a quiet Easter, one in a small circle, with very few contacts.
That I urgently ask you to refrain from all non-mandatory trips.
That we all consistently adhere to all the rules. "
But the CDU politicians tried to give courage once more.
As so often, she explains that testing and vaccinations are now important heroes in the fight against the pandemic.
But: "The effect of many tests - including the prospect of freedoms - can only be seen if, in the event of a case, contact is quickly followed up." Infection numbers must be stable, otherwise the health authorities will not be able to keep up.
However, because the numbers are increasing and have reached the level of the second wave, strict adherence to all measures is now required.
Also because family doctors can now vaccinate against Corona, April will "bring us big steps forward in vaccination," promises Merkel.
Even changing Astrazeneca's vaccine recommendations would not change the fact that vaccination is “the key to overcoming the pandemic”.
Merkel is said to have known about the Astrazeneca change earlier - survey on the plans of the Germans at Easter
As a report by ZDF shows, the Chancellor knew four days before the nationwide decision on the corona vaccine that there was likely to be a need for further adjustments to the recommendations.
"In view of the national scope of the decision, the Chancellor asked for the expertise of the Ethics Council and the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina to be consulted," said a government spokeswoman for the broadcaster.
On Tuesday, the federal and state governments decided that the preparation should generally only be injected to people over 60 years of age.
“We will defeat the virus together” - Merkel wants to spread this message again with her video podcast before Easter.
And a clear majority of Germans do not want to travel at Easter either, as a survey by the opinion research institute YouGov on behalf of the German Press Agency shows.
According to this, 60 percent said they didn't even plan a day trip over the long weekend.
Ten percent want to travel in Germany, for example to visit relatives or friends, another two percent want to go abroad.
For 19 percent of those surveyed, at least one day trip to the surrounding area of their place of residence is on the Easter program.
Six percent had not yet made a decision at the time of the survey, four percent did not provide any information.
(cibo)
List of rubric lists: © Screenshot: Instagram / Federal Chancellor
