Lauterbach argues with data from Israel – the government there is relaxing

Created: 2022-02-07 13:43

By: Franziska Schwarz

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (front) refers to data from Israel for the current corona measures.

© Stefan Boness/Ipon/Imago

The Minister of Health opened the week with a bang: certain corona measures could fall before Easter.

But he doesn't mean February.

Berlin – Karl Lauterbach is “firmly convinced” that the corona measures in this country can be relaxed “well before Easter”.

This is causing a stir, just over a week before the next prime ministers' conference on February 16.

Shortly before, however, the Minister of Health sent a tweet that made it clear: in the future - not now.

The SPD politician once again used Israel as a point of reference.

New data from the country showed that omicron infection often leads to death in unvaccinated older people.

There are in this country too.

"So far we have been able to prevent such death rates in Germany because older unvaccinated people were protected by our measures," said Lauterbach, emphasizing the current corona policy:

And Easter is in mid-April 2022, so there are still a few weeks to go.

“We are before the peak of the wave.

Relaxing now to the maximum number of cases means: I'm pouring oil on the fire," Lauterbach is currently also warning.

Lauterbach defends corona measures – Israel relaxes

And Israel?

Despite record numbers of people seriously ill with Covid, the government there is largely relaxing the obligation for the “green passport”.

Since this Monday (February 7th), people only have to show proof of vaccinated and recovered people at large events such as celebrations and weddings.

It is now possible to visit restaurants, cinemas and hotels without a “Green Passport” and without a negative corona test.

Even when leaving Israel, unvaccinated people no longer have to present a negative corona test.

Corona in Israel: number of seriously ill people with Covid at a record high

The number of seriously ill corona patients in the country of 9.4 million inhabitants exceeded 1200 for the first time since the pandemic began.

Israel had recently expanded the circle of those entitled to a fourth corona vaccine dose.

Now all immunocompromised people over the age of 18 should be able to receive the booster, as well as people who have a high risk of infection due to their job.