Corona lockdown after New Year's Eve?

Lauterbach and Wieler with a clear message

Created: 12/24/2021 Updated: 12/24/2021, 7:02 AM

From: Andreas Apetz

After the Corona summit, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and RKI boss Lothar Wieler will answer questions from the press together.

• After the Corona summit *, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach * (SPD *) and RKI boss Lothar Wieler came together in front of the press on Wednesday (December 22nd, 2021).

• Lauterbach and Wieler commented on the subject of lockdown in the coming year, the Omikron variant * and the restrictions decided on Christmas and New Year's Eve *.

• The news situation at a glance.

+++ 2.45 p.m.:

Lauterbach and Wieler also commented on lockdown.

It is not yet possible to say when to resort to "emergency plans".

Even before the press conference, Lauterbach had declared that there was “no red line” that should not be crossed.

“We're not ruling anything out.

We will consider everything if necessary.

Now the point is not given, "said the Minister of Health at the press conference on Wednesday.

The President of the Robert Koch Institute agreed with Lauterbach.

One cannot predict when a lockdown will be necessary.

A constant new assessment of the corona situation is required.

To claim that a hard lockdown would have to be achieved in January would be pure speculation, according to Wieler.

Neither of them could rule out a lockdown in the New Year.

Lauterbach and Wieler on the current corona situation and a possible lockdown

Update from Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021, 1:45 p.m.:

How is Germany

in the current Corona situation?

What is the situation like between the RKI and Health Minister Lauterbach after yesterday's incidents before the Corona summit?

And does Germany have to expect a lockdown soon in view of the Omikron variant?

These questions were the subject of today's press conference with Karl Lauterbach, RKI boss Lothar Wieler and the chairman of the board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen.

According to Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, a renewed wave of corona infections due to the new Omikron variant can no longer be stopped.

You can get the Delta infections under control little by little.

“Nonetheless, we must now certainly expect a fifth wave.” This is mainly due to the rapidly expanding Omicron variant.

Will the hard lockdown come after New Year's Eve?

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and RKI boss Lothar Wieler comment.

(Symbolic picture) © ANP / Imago

Press conference with Lauterbach and Wieler: Booster vaccinations and Corona rules until the end of the year

Lauterbach also emphasized the importance of booster vaccinations, as the experts believe that Omikron can bypass vaccination protection after double immunization. With a refresher, one is 70 to 80 percent protected against symptomatic infection. More than 90 percent are protected against a severe Covid-19 course, according to Lauterbach. According to Lauterbach, in order to continue administering the booster vaccinations at high speed, vaccinations should also be carried out at the turn of the year and on public holidays.

The RKI President Lothar Wieler urged caution over the Christmas holidays.

Most important is the restriction of personal contacts.

“Christmas should not be the spark that ignites the Omicron fire,” says Wieler.

Unnecessary travel should also be avoided.

Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach calls on people to corona tests and celebrations only in small groups at Christmas.

Although the holidays are not a particular epidemic challenge, caution is still advisable.

“Small groups are better than large groups,” Lauterbach also emphasized.

Lauterbach and Wieler live: The press conference on the corona situation and other lockdown plans

The live ticker for the press conference with Health Minister Lauterbach and RKI boss Wieler for reading.

+++ 1.40 p.m.:

The press conference is now officially closed.

+++ 1.37 p.m.:

Since the duration of protection of the current vaccines against the Omikron variant is not clear, 80 million doses of Omikron-specific vaccine have been ordered from Biontech.

A fourth booster vaccination should be expected.

+++ 1.36 p.m.:

Now Wieler also expresses himself on the subject of lockdown.

You have to orientate yourself on the facts.

Setting a lockdown for January now would be speculation.

The situation would have to be reassessed in January 2022.

+++ 1.31 p.m

.: Lauterbach still supports the compulsory vaccination.

Without compulsory vaccination, he could not imagine coping with new corona waves.

The German Ethics Council, too, had recently issued a fundamentally positive response to such an obligation.

+++ 1:29 p.m.:

An e-prescription is currently not planned, says Lauterbach.

Lauterbach with a clear announcement about the lockdown: "We are not ruling anything out"

+++ 1:26 p.m .:

Lauterbach on lockdown: “We don't

anything out, we consider everything if it were necessary.

Now the point is not given. "

+++ 1:24 p.m.:

Even people under the age of 18 should quickly check whether booster vaccinations can be used without hesitation, according to Lauterbach.

+++ 1:22 p.m.: Do the

tests used in Germany also work with the Omikron variant?

According to the Minister of Health, it can be assumed that the tests will also provide reliable results with the new mutation.

+++ 1:21 p.m.:

More vaccines and drugs, including active ingredients that have not yet been approved, are to be ordered, says Health Minister Lauterbach.

Everything that prevents a difficult course, they want to procure.

+++ 1:19 p.m.:

Pharmacies and practices are also extremely important for the continuation of the vaccination campaign.

Individual failures in the infrastructure are manageable, says Andreas Gassen.

There is only a risk if large vaccination centers fail.

+++ 1:14 p.m.:

4 million cans of Novavax are to be delivered to Germany in January.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (r.) And RKI boss Lothar Wieler at the press conference on Wednesday.

© Chris Emil Janssen / Imago Images

+++ 13.08 p.m.:

Lauterbach and Wieler are confident that new corona infections can be reduced in the near future.

This is important in order to slow down the pace of the Omikron variant.

Corona situation: lockdown in planning?

That says Health Minister Lauterbach

+++ 13.06 p.m.:

When new emergency plans will be used, one is not yet sure, according to Lauterbach.

+++ 13.03 p.m.:

Health Minister Lauterbach recommends everyone who visits family and friends over the Christmas holidays to get tested, preferably on several days in a row.

So far there has been no talk of a lockdown.

+++ 01.01 p.m.:

After the incidents yesterday between the RKI and the Corona summit, Lauterbach is still behind RKI boss Lothar Wieler.

"Otherwise he wouldn't be sitting here," said Lauterbach.

He was annoyed yesterday that the required measures by the RKI had not reached him before the Prime Minister's Conference.

+++ 1 p.m.:

Gastronomy, which focuses on consumption, can continue to be open.

Clubs and bars are to be closed.

+++ 12.58 p.m.:

In addition, the government is currently examining the introduction of a vaccination register.

The focus, however, would be the nationwide vaccination of the country.

+++ 12.57 p.m.:

By the turn of the year, 10 million doses of Moderna are to be inoculated every week, according to Health Minister Lauterbach.

Biontech vaccine should also be reordered.

More cans from Moderna are already on the way for January.

+++ 12.55 p.m.:

Wieler comments on the contact restrictions.

An appeal is made to each individual: “It depends on how people behave.” Even before December 28th, the population should limit their contacts.

PK with Lauterbach and Wieler: Christmas could kindle “Omikron-Feuer”

+++ 12.48 p.m.:

Andreas Gassner is now speaking.

Gassner praises the vaccination campaign in Germany and the high vaccination rates.

"Vaccination is the sharpest sword in the fight against the coronavirus."

+++ 12.46 p.m.:

The RKI boss warns again about the holidays and possible contacts.

“Christmas should not be the spark that ignites the Omicron fire,” says Wieler.

+++ 12.44 p.m.:

You have to reckon with an overload of the health system, explains Wieler.

He, too, again points out the importance of the booster vaccination.

+++ 12.42 p.m.:

Around 540 cases and several thousand suspected cases of the Omikron variant are currently reported in Germany.

In two to three weeks at the latest, the variant could be the predominant form of the coronavirus in Germany, according to Wieler.

+++ 12.40 p.m.:

Now RKI boss Wieler has the floor.

In addition to vaccination, contact restrictions are the most important tool to contain the pandemic.

“Clinics and intensive care units are still at their limit,” warns Wieler.

Even if the incidence is currently falling, this is no reason to relax.

Lauterbach and Wieler live: "Omikron wave is sure to come"

+++ 12.38 p.m.: Vaccinations

should also continue during the holidays.

This also serves to protect the unvaccinated and those waiting for a dead vaccine.

“Many unvaccinated people are not lateral thinkers.

If we want to protect them, we have to slow down the pandemic.

That is only possible with a booster campaign that is as quick as possible, ”says the Minister of Health.

+++ 12.36 p.m.:

The booster vaccination should mainly be carried out with the vaccine from Moderna.

"A very good booster vaccine that I strongly recommend," said Lauterbach.

+++ 12.35 p.m.:

The most important "tool" to combat the Omikron variant is still the booster vaccination.

The protective effect should already be in place one week after the third vaccination.

The protection against symptoms should be 70 to 80 percent, in severe cases well over 90 percent.

+++ 12.33 p.m.:

Lauterbach has the floor.

“We have to reckon with a fifth omicron wave”.

A new wave could no longer be prevented, said the Minister of Health.

However, all of Germany would be preparing for the coming increase in the number of infections.

+++ 12.30 p.m.:

The press conference with Karl Lauterbach and Lothar Wieler has started.

Now it will be about the current corona situation, the Omikron variant, further measures and a possible lockdown.

Lauterbach and Wieler live: press conference on the corona situation, a lockdown and other measures

+++ 12.25 p.m.:

The meeting of Lauterbach and Wieler could be interesting in view of yesterday's Prime Minister's

.

Lauterbach and the Corona summit had to take a lot of criticism for their planned Corona measures after the RKI's statement.

From many sides, the adopted corona rules were classified as too loose.

In its strategy paper, the RKI called for immediate and “maximum contact restrictions”.

The MPK's measures provide for contact restrictions from December 28th.

+++ 12.15 p.m.:

The press conference in Berlin with Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and RKI boss Lothar Wieler starts in a few minutes.

Andreas Gassen, Chairman of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, is also on the podium.

+++ 11.30 a.m.:

The press conference with Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and the President of the Robert Koch Institute Lothar Wieler begins in an hour.

The topic will be the current corona situation.

It is also to be expected that the resolutions of the Corona summit will be at stake.

The experts could also comment on a possible lockdown for next January.

Given the rapid expansion of the Omikron variant, this does not seem improbable.

In the Prime Minister's Conference on Tuesday (December 21, 2021), tightened measures for the Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve were set.

The RKI had demanded immediate hard contact restrictions in advance, which were only partially implemented in the decision of the Corona summit.

After the corona summit: Lauterbach and Wieler about the corona situation, rule and a possible lockdown

First report from Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021, 11:10 a.m .:

Berlin - At the end of the year, one topic dominated the German news

: the Omikron variant. Experts and experts expect a new wave to begin shortly after the turn of the year. To prevent this, the Corona summit met on Tuesday (December 21, 2021). Prime ministers discussed with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz * (SPD) about stricter corona measures for the Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve.

At the end of the summit, there is a decision that has been criticized from many sides.

The reason for this is, among other things, the Robert Koch Institute, which had published a Covid-19 strategy paper in advance in which it had called for significantly stricter measures than is the case in the current resolution.

On Wednesday (December 22nd, 2021), Health Minister Lauterbach and the head of the RKI Lothar Wieler will give a press conference together and comment on the new Corona measures.

Corona summit: Stricter contact restrictions from December 28th

From December 28th, strict corona measures will apply nationwide.

This was announced by Chancellor Scholz at a press conference after the Corona summit.

The resolutions include strict contact restrictions.

These do not only apply to unvaccinated people, there are also restrictions for vaccinated and boosted people:

• Contact restrictions:

   New contact restrictions apply to vaccinated and convalescent people from December 28th.

  Only a maximum of 10 people are allowed to meet.

  Stricter rules apply to the unvaccinated.

  You are only allowed to meet people in your own household and two other people.

  "It is not the time for parties or evenings in good company," said Scholz at the press conference on Tuesday.

  This is especially true for New Year's Eve.

• Workplace, retail and events:

   In retail and cultural events such as the theater or cinema, the 2G rule applies and in some cases the 2G plus rule.

  Clubs and discos will be closed.

  Major events will take place without spectators.

  This also applies to football games.

  The 3G rule applies in the workplace.

• Infrastructure:

   The critical infrastructure should be maintained.

  Hospitals, mobile transports, fire brigades and the police should activate their emergency plans.

• Vaccination campaign:

   The vaccinations should continue to run over Christmas and New Year's Eve.

  By the end of the year, 30 million vaccine doses are to be administered.

  Another 30 million booster vaccinations are to be carried out by the end of January.

The next prime ministerial conference is scheduled for January 7th.

Then the corona situation and the spread of the Omikron variant should be checked again.

Should the situation in Germany worsen, a renewed lockdown cannot be ruled out.

Corona summit: RKI calls for tougher measures - "Maximum contact restrictions"

Immediately before the Prime Minister's Conference on the Corona situation, the Robert Koch Institute recommended more extensive measures than the federal and state governments have been planning so far.

In view of the great dangers posed by Omikron, "maximum contact restrictions" are now necessary, according to a corona strategy paper published by the RKI on Tuesday.

The then announced decision of the Corona summit fell short of expectations for many.

It is irritating that the corona measures will only be tightened from December 28th and not before Christmas, as required by the RKI.

Dietmar Bartsch * (Die Linke *) told the RND: "None of this can be explained to the population and further weakens trust in the Corona policy."

In the face of widespread criticism, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) defended the corona measures decided on Tuesday in the federal-state round.

In an interview with ARD Tagesthemen on Tuesday evening, he said: "What we decided today will have an impact quickly."

After the Corona summit: Lauterbach and RKI boss Wieler with a joint press conference

In the ARD *, Lauterbach did not rule out "that a hard lockdown must also be discussed if the number of cases should develop like this". There is no red line - only "at this point in time we are not there". A lockdown would come close to the demands of the Robert Koch Institute. However, new measures will probably not be discussed until the Prime Minister's Conference on January 7th.

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and the President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lothar Wieler, will again provide information about the Corona situation in Germany on Wednesday (December 22nd, 2021).

It is to be expected that the most recent resolutions of the Corona summit will also be at stake.

Andreas Gassen, Chairman of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, is also on the podium at the Federal Press Conference.

(aa / dpa / afp)