"Doesn't make sense anymore": Söder is forcing corona openings - Habeck with Scholz on the loosening line

Created: 02/12/2022 10:13 am

By: Cindy Boden

Robert Habeck (Greens, left), Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, at an appointment in Munich next to Markus Söder (CSU), Prime Minister of Bavaria © Tobias Hase/dpa

In view of the current debates, it seems pretty clear: the next Corona summit will bring relaxation steps.

There are still many ideas as to how they will look in concrete terms.

Berlin – Chancellor Olaf Scholz* (SPD) surprised a little on Friday in the Bundesrat.

Suddenly he spoke of

Corona "opening steps" - just a few days before the next federal-state meeting on Wednesday (February 16).

According to the wishes of his Vice-Chancellor, Economics Minister Robert Habeck, the first steps in this direction should be agreed.

"According to the experts, the peak of the wave of infections is to be expected in mid-February," said the Green * politician of the German Press Agency.

"Therefore, the next prime ministers' conference on February 16 is the right time to coordinate closely on the first opening steps." From his point of view, a uniform approach would be important.

Corona loosening in Germany: "What comes first, what can the individual steps for an opening look like"

"We have to clarify what comes first, what the individual stages for an opening can look like and what are the nationwide criteria," says Habeck.

According to the ideas of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, easing should take place gradually and regionally differentiated.

In addition, uniform target indicators and threshold values ​​are needed to indicate an imminent overload of the health system - which should be decided by the Robert Koch Institute * and the expert council of the federal government, it said.

If a new virus variant threatens to overload the healthcare system, it should be possible to decide on new restrictions when certain values ​​are reached.

Video: Lauterbach defends himself against "minister of fear" criticism

Habeck for a step-by-step plan for corona easing: details from the Ministry of Economic Affairs

From an economic policy point of view, a gradual relaxation of Corona* makes sense, the ministry said.

First, those measures that are associated with high economic costs should be relaxed.

In place of 2G and 2G Plus regulations, there could be a nationwide obligation to wear FFP2 masks indoors.

Limits on the number of visitors at outdoor events could also be relaxed in a first stage.

In places like clubs, where many people come together indoors without distance and masks, test and vaccination certificates remain necessary.

In a second step, the ministry believes that the obligation to work from home, the obligation to test for employers and 3G obligations in the workplace should be discussed.

In the case of close contacts, an FFP2 mask requirement can remain in place.

In further steps, relaxation of participant restrictions at events and entry restrictions can be tackled.

According to the ministry, the relaxation should be decided according to the regional situation.

Depending on the status of the omicron wave, regional vaccination progress and the utilization of the health system, earlier and more comprehensive easing is possible in some countries than in others.

However, the standard should be nationwide criteria.

Before the Corona summit: Söder comprehensive Corona loosening for trade and gastronomy

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder * (CSU) also calls for comprehensive easing of the corona restrictions.

“First: 2G in retail no longer makes sense.

The FFP2 mask makes more sense there.

Second: 2G in gastronomy is sufficient, no 2G-Plus is needed," he told the

.

Relaxation is also necessary in sport and culture, explained the Bavarian Prime Minister.

Face-to-face teaching should be retained in schools.

Söder advocated testing and wearing masks instead of distance learning or lifting compulsory attendance.

"In general, the mask should be the last thing to keep - it is and remains the best protection," he said.

The CSU * boss spoke out in favor of a step-by-step approach.

“But the idea of ​​'Freedom Day' doesn't work.

Because Corona doesn’t stick to any date,” he emphasized.

He suggested that the opening steps should be based on the situation in the hospitals.

The politician emphasized that the measures taken to combat the pandemic should not only look at the virological dimension, but also at the psychological and socio-economic dimension: “Team caution, yes, but not team stubborn.”