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Angela Merkel
Photo: Markus Schreiber / AP
"The fourth wave hits our country with full force": Chancellor Angela Merkel described the current situation in the corona pandemic as "dramatic".
Even if there is no political majority in favor of the prolongation of the epidemic emergency of national importance, "I can have no doubt that we are in the middle of such an emergency," she said on Wednesday at the German Association of Cities.
The number of corona cases, intensive care patients and deaths is increasing.
The heads of the federal and state governments should send a clear signal at their conference on Thursday that everything must be done to slow the pandemic.
Merkel had spoken out in favor of an extension of the epidemic situation, the traffic light parties reject this.
However, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) had also spoken out in favor of an end to the epidemic emergency.
The only criterion for advising the leaders of the federal and state governments must be what can be done against the dramatic situation in the middle of the fourth wave of pandemics. The virus doesn't care who is currently in power in Germany or who has to travel the furthest way from previous positions to the measures that are now necessary, said Merkel, referring to the traffic light parties SPD, Greens and FDP and their changes to the Infection Protection Act. The law also provides for additional protective measures such as 3G in public transport, but previously applied measures such as exit restrictions or general closings of shops or schools are no longer possible.
For example, a decision is necessary as to the incidence of hospitalization at which further corona restrictions would have to come, demanded the Executive Chancellor.
This incidence indicates how many people infected with corona per 100,000 inhabitants have to be admitted to hospitals within a week.
In addition, a "national effort" is necessary to be able to give booster vaccinations very quickly.
as / Reuters / dpa
