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Hendrik Wüst (CDU), Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Düsseldorf state parliament
Photo: Marius Becker / dpa
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the penalties for violating the corona protective measures are drastically increased.
This was announced by Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) in a special session of the state parliament on the corona situation.
At the same time, there will be further restrictions for unvaccinated people.
With regard to the fines, many penalties increase:
Anyone who violates the mask requirement must expect a fine of 150 euros instead of the previous 50 euros.
In the case of falsified corona test certificates, the fine is even increased fivefold to up to 5000 euros.
If corona tests or vaccination certificates are not properly checked at events or in restaurants, 2000 euros will be due in future instead of the previous 500 euros.
Everyone has to be clear: "This is no fun - this is about health, this is about people's lives," said Wüst.
Access restrictions are to apply to unvaccinated persons when visiting restaurants and cinemas as well as at Christmas markets and in stadiums.
"The same applies to cultural offers," announced Wüst.
Exemptions for children
Where the risk of infection is particularly high, participation will only be possible for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered if they present a current negative corona test.
This will apply, for example, in discos and clubs, but also at carnival meetings and carnival parties.
There will be a 3G regulation in the workplace.
3G stands for vaccinated, recovered, tested.
The regulations are to come into force in the course of the coming week after a cabinet decision.
However, despite the acute corona situation, children should still have access to leisure activities.
For children, the planned 2G rule, which denies access to unvaccinated or recovered people, is no longer applicable.
The aim is as few restrictions for children as possible, he said.
SPD opposition leader Thomas Kutschaty criticized Wüst for hesitant action at the meeting.
In contrast to Wüst, North Rhine-Westphalia was "no longer ahead of the situation" in the pandemic, Kutschaty said in the special session of the state parliament.
Many people would become infected with the corona virus in the next few days and weeks.
Wüst's creation of the word "concentrated vigilance" is only a "glossing over term for doing nothing".
mrc / dpa