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A bar in Hamburg points out the applicable 2G rule at the entrance
Photo: Axel Heimken / dpa
Germany is in the fourth wave of corona, so the 3G rule applies nationwide: Only those who have been vaccinated, recovered and tested have access to certain indoor spaces such as at parties, in the cinema or in restaurants.
At the end of August, however, Hamburg also introduced an optional 2G rule for itself: If you want, you can only open your doors in the Hanseatic city to vaccinated and convalescent people; entry via a rapid test is then no longer possible.
The measure is intended to protect against the further spread of the dangerous delta variant of the coronavirus: Unvaccinated people have a significantly higher risk of spreading Covid-19.
The rapid tests are considered to be too imprecise and only show a snapshot in order to be able to rule out with certainty that those tested do not carry the virus in them after all.
Several federal states are now following the Hamburg model - with different degrees of severity.
An overview of the new measures.
Baden-Wuerttemberg
In Baden-Württemberg, a new three-stage plan for the corona measures will come into force on Thursday.
In the future, the so-called seven-day hospitalization in intensive care units or the number of intensive care beds occupied by Covid patients in the country will be the decisive benchmark for stricter measures.
The new third level is the 2G model for public events.
It comes into force from twelve new corona cases in Baden-Württemberg intensive care units within seven days or with a total of 390 corona intensive care patients.
Then private celebrations are also limited to two households for non-vaccinated persons.
These stricter measures for unvaccinated people are not punishments, said Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens).
You would be taken for their own protection and prevented new extreme situations in the intensive care units.
Berlin
The Senate has decided to introduce a 2G option model for events and services; the new regulation is expected to come into force on Saturday.
Comparable to the Hamburg model, there is relief for companies and organizers if they only let in vaccinated and convalescent people.
The option model concerns, for example, body-hugging services, leisure activities, zoos, sports or amusement arcades.
Where a 2G regulation is implemented, there is no obligation to comply with the minimum distance or the mask requirement.
This means that more guests could be admitted again in the catering trade, for example.
At major events that only allow vaccinated or convalescent people, the new regulation allows 100% utilization with a maximum of 25,000 participants.
The 2G regulation can also only be applied for individual days or for a limited period of time.
The Berlin Senate had previously introduced the 2G rule for some areas.
Vaccinated and convalescent people have been able to dance in the interior of clubs and discos since the beginning of September.
In saunas, thermal baths and similar facilities, both groups can again take part in infusions and enter steam baths.
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony has also had a 2G model for a few days - it is now being expanded.
In the future, the gastronomy, the cultural scene, event organizers and sport can also benefit.
Mask requirement and keeping your distance should then be omitted.
So far, the 2G model only applied to operators of discos, clubs and shisha bars.
Rhineland-Palatinate
Similar to Baden-Württemberg, the state has introduced a corona traffic light that is based on the incidence of infection, the incidence of hospitalization and the occupancy of the intensive care units.
The so-called »2G +« model has been in effect since Sunday: This means that vaccinated and convalescent people can use everything.
There are still restrictions for those who have been tested.
Lockdowns as a protective mechanism are no longer provided, instead, with increasing incidences, the access of unvaccinated people to events of all kinds and the catering trade will be reduced depending on the traffic light level.
Regardless of 2G or 3G, mask requirements continue to apply indoors and in the event of a crowd, as well as distance regulations.
more on the subject
Access only for recovered and vaccinated people: Party with a mask, but without any distance - is this how we save the clubs and pubs? By Benjamin Ansari, Hamburg
Saxony
The Free State follows Hamburg and introduces the so-called 2G system as an option model.
According to this, only those vaccinated and recovered should have access to restaurants, facilities or events of up to 5,000 people, if the organizer decides for himself, said State Chancellor Oliver Schenk (CDU) in Dresden.
In return, there is the possibility of lifting restrictions such as the mask requirement and the distance requirement.
However, an admission control must be carried out.
So far it is unclear whether children up to the age of twelve and people who cannot be vaccinated will need a test when they visit appropriate facilities.
Saxony-Anhalt
In Magdeburg, the state government has decided to introduce the 2G option model for events and businesses.
As in Hamburg, companies and organizers can decide to only admit those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered.
It was expressly an offer and not an obligation, declared the state government.
Organizers and businesses that opt for the 2G access model do not have to comply with distance rules, mask requirements or capacity restrictions.
The model must be reported to the health department in advance and made public by posting or notice at the relevant location.
It is also possible to choose the 2G model in an hourly or daily alternation with the 3G model.
mrc / dpa
