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Jens Spahn in Rome: "Keeping your balance is difficult"
Photo: Xander Heinl / photothek.de / imago images / photothek
Health Minister Jens Spahn has called for stronger checks on evidence if corona access rules only apply to those who have been vaccinated, recovered and tested.
"I believe that more mandatory checks can convince one or the other of us to get vaccinated," said the CDU politician to the news portal Watson.
"On my short visit to Rome to the meeting of the health ministers of the G20 countries, I was checked more often on one day than here in two weeks."
With a view to autumn and winter, the federal and state governments have agreed that the 3G rule should apply in certain indoor spaces such as restaurants or at events: Access only for those who have been completely vaccinated, those who have recovered or those who currently have negative tests.
Evidence must also be provided to prove this in each case.
Spahn expects herd immunity in the coming spring
In Germany, the vaccination rate is currently significantly lower than in countries such as Spain, Italy or Denmark. Spahn also attributes this to the different experiences of the citizens. In these countries, people would have experienced the pandemic much harder, he says. From his point of view, the Spanish, Italian or Danish governments would not do so much differently than the Germans - apart from the stricter controls in Italy. Other countries would, however, "virtually oblige citizens to vaccinate," he said.
For society as a whole, the pressure on unvaccinated people is a fine line, according to Spahn.
“On the one hand, you have to distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated people, if only for medical reasons.
On the other hand, if you exert too much pressure, you risk losing people.
Keeping your balance is difficult. "
In the interview, Spahn again promoted more vaccinations and explained why he expects a return to normal in the coming spring.
"We will definitely achieve the herd immunity that we need to overcome the pandemic," said Spahn.
"We actually reach them either through vaccination or through infection."
The risk for unvaccinated people to become infected with the Delta variant in winter is very high.
That is why he is promoting »the safer alternative, vaccination«.
"In any case, that means with a high probability that we will return to normal in spring 2022."
slü / dpa
