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Buses, bars and curfews: now official - that's what the traffic light says in the new Corona law

2021-11-18T15:51:32.798Z


A new infection protection law was passed in the Bundestag. Which rules could come - and what happens if they fail before the Federal Council?


A new infection protection law was passed in the Bundestag.

Which rules could come - and what happens if they fail before the Federal Council?

Berlin / Munich - The coronavirus situation in Germany is dramatic.

Rising numbers of infections and Covid 19 deaths are just as worrying as gloomy winter forecasts.

A major controversial topic was the expiry of the epidemic situation of national scope from November 25th. On Thursday, the Bundestag passed a new infection protection law with the votes of the traffic light parties.

This should enable Corona measures even after November 25th.

However, it is still uncertain whether the changes will actually come into force in the coming week.

For this, the Federal Council still needs the green light on Friday (November 19).

Among other things, the 2G rules, which have already been introduced in some federal states, would get a secure legal basis through the new law.

Corona: What does the traffic light's new infection protection law say in detail?

  • Public transport:

    In the future, the 3G rule will apply nationwide in buses and trains.

    Passengers must therefore submit a negative test if they have not been vaccinated or have recovered.

    The regulation also applies to domestic flights, with the exception of taxis and school transport.

    Leave the type of controls to the transport company.

    As a rule, they will probably be done during the ticket inspection.

  • 3G at work:

    nationwide, employees should have to present their employer with a corona vaccination certificate or proof of recovery. If you are neither vaccinated nor recovered, you must present a current corona test every day before entering your workplace. Employers face a fine if they fail to control status. If employees avoid the 3G rule, the employer must try to enable work without direct contact with other employees. If that is not possible, those affected are threatened with loss of wages - and in case of doubt, even dismissal.

  • Home office obligation:

    The regulation that was lifted on July 1st is to be reactivated.

    If there are no compelling reasons to the contrary, employers must offer their employees work in the home office again.

    The employees must again accept the offer if there are no reasons to the contrary.

  • Shopping:

    The shops should remain open.

    Closures are not planned.

    However, a mask requirement still applies here.

  • Bars and restaurants:

    These can remain open if they offer their seats in compliance with the respective hygiene rules.

    However, closings could occur if it gets too tight to abide by the rules.

  • Free time:

    When visiting theaters, cinemas, fitness studios or football stadiums, countries can prescribe the 2G rules. This means that non-vaccinated people can no longer participate in these leisure activities - even if they could show a negative corona test. For events, the so-called "2G Plus" rule comes into question: Those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered would also have to submit a negative corona test. In addition, there should be capacity limits.

  • Retirement and nursing homes:

    There is agreement that staff in the homes should have regular tests - daily for those who have not been vaccinated.

    The traffic light parties have not yet agreed on mandatory vaccinations for the employees there.

    This is not part of the Infection Protection Act that is now being discussed and should be clarified in the coming weeks and is apparently also in the draft resolution of the corona summit by the federal and state governments.

Traffic light infection protection law: what about curfews?

After the epidemic situation of national scope has expired, the states should be able to take more stringent measures on their own in the future - but then the respective state parliaments must decide this.

Possible measures include personal restrictions for companies, institutions or events as well as contact restrictions in private and public spaces.


However, curfews or the general ban on events or gatherings should be excluded.

This also applies to Christmas markets or church services, for example.

In a specific case, however, there may well be cancellations.

In Munich, for example, the first “bitter” decision has already been made with regard to Christmas markets.

According to the traffic light parties, what should no longer be possible?

  • Exit restrictions

  • Comprehensive school and daycare closings

  • Comprehensive bans or restrictions on travel, accommodation and catering

  • Comprehensive bans on demonstrations, gatherings or church services

  • Extensive closure or restriction of shops and businesses

  • Prohibitions on exercise

How long will the new rules apply - and what happens if the Federal Council fails?

Initially, the rules of the Infection Protection Act are to apply until March 19, 2021.

The Bundestag can, however, extend this by up to three more months beforehand.

However, the law has yet to find approval in the Federal Council.

Should it fail there, the mediation committee could seek an agreement.

As long as one is pending, the old Infection Protection Act continues to apply.

Then the Bundestag would have the opportunity to prolong the epidemic situation of national importance.

If he does not do this, the country opening clause in the current law would apply.

It enables the federal states to apply the previous measures if their respective parliaments have decided to do so.

3G in the workplace as well as in buses and trains would not exist for the time being.

(dpa)

List of rubric lists: © Kay Nietfeld / dpa

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-11-18

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