Corona summit: Scholz announces easing - what will change from now on

Created: 02/17/2022Updated: 02/17/2022 12:56 p.m

By: Tobias Utz, Tim Vincent Dicke, Andreas Apetz, Alina Schröder

At the Corona summit on Wednesday, new measures, especially easing, were decided.

A phased plan is to come into effect: what you need to know. 

• On Wednesday (February 16, 2022), the federal and state governments discussed Germany’s further strategy in the pandemic at a corona summit.

• At the Prime Ministers' Conference (MPK), relaxation of the Corona measures* were decided.

• The news ticker.

+++ 10 a.m.:

At the press conference after the Corona summit on Wednesday evening (February 16, 2022), Chancellor Olaf Scholz presented the concept of the three-stage plan, with the help of which the Corona rules are to be gradually relaxed by the end of March.

At the beginning of the third stage, from March 20th, for example, the obligation to work from home should end*, provided that the pandemic situation allows it.

This could change a lot for many employees.

Corona summit: Scholz introduces easing

Update from Thursday, February 17th, 2022, 6.45 a.m .:

The German Medical Association welcomed the federal and state decisions to relax the corona protective measures, but called on citizens to take more responsibility for the future.

"With the abolition of legal restrictions, the responsible handling of people with possible risks of infection becomes even more important," said Klaus Reinhardt, President of the Medical Association, to the newspapers of the Funke media group (Thursday editions).

In addition to vaccination, Reinhardt cited voluntary rapid tests before private celebrations as examples.

Such tests are particularly useful "when older family members or people with previous illnesses are present," emphasized Reinhardt.

It also makes sense to wear FFP2 masks, for example in local transport and in large crowds.

Reinhardt called the end of all far-reaching protective measures "justified from a scientific and epidemiological point of view".

He reiterated: "The omicron wave is breaking, the situation in the clinics is manageable and further relaxation is likely with rising temperatures."

Corona summit: Scholz announces easing - what will change from tomorrow

+++ 7.10 p.m .:

The Corona summit on Wednesday is the starting signal for the federal government’s three-stage program to relax the Corona measures.

As a first step, the contact restrictions for vaccinated and those who have recovered are to be lifted from this Friday (February 18, 2022)*.

Private gatherings with unvaccinated people are still subject to the current corona restrictions and are limited to a maximum of two households.

Chancellor Scholz after the MPK.

© Michele Tantussi/dpa

In addition to easing contact restrictions, the 2G rule in retail is to be lifted.

An FFP2 mask requirement will then apply in shops.

However, the resolutions must first be implemented by the individual federal states.

As Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania announced, the first stage of the easing will only come into force on February 24th.

The gradual easing of the federal government should reach the second stage on March 4th and culminate on March 20th in the so-called "Freedom Day".

+++ 5.32 p.m .:

At the Corona summit, extensive easing for Germany was decided on Wednesday –

• In the first step

  , private gatherings for vaccinated and recovered people with more than ten participants will be allowed.

  There is no longer a maximum number of people, as long as there are no unvaccinated people.

  "Due to the particular risk to those who have not been vaccinated, the restrictions that apply to these people will remain in place until March 19, 2022," it said in the summit's draft resolution, which is available to our editorial team.

  Corona controls in retail – i.e. 2G – will also be abolished nationwide.

  Only wearing an FFP2 mask is still recommended.

• In the second step

  , only the 3G rule will apply in gastronomy and overnight accommodation from March 4th.

  In other words, even those who have not been vaccinated can go to bars and restaurants with a negative test.

  Discotheques and clubs are open to those who have recovered and those who have been vaccinated with a daily test or with a third vaccination – so a strict 2G Plus rule should apply here.

• In the third step

  , from March 20, 2022, “all more far-reaching protective measures” will no longer apply.

  March 20 is therefore already referred to as "Freedom Day".

  The designation is to be evaluated with restrictions.

  At the press conference, those responsible emphasized that mask and distance regulations will remain in place.

+++ 5.30 p.m .: This ends the live ticker.

Thank you for your attention!

Corona Summit Live: Next MPK already in mid-March

+++ 5:28 p.m .: The next Corona summit will take place on March 17th.

+++ 5.25 p.m .:

Franziska Giffey explains when asked that one must continue to do persuasion on the subject of vaccination.

+++ 17:21:

Wüst adds that the statement by the expert council is the basis.

However, he emphasizes that there is a "large number of group applications" - and none of them have so far had a majority.

That complicates the situation.

"We are not yet at the end of the process of finding an opinion."

+++ 5.18 p.m .:

When asked about the corona vaccination requirement, Scholz emphasizes that “one should trust oneself” to “get a majority” for the measure.

That requires the "responsibility" that one has towards the population.

+++ 5.13 p.m .: When

asked what regulations should apply after March 20, Scholz emphasizes: “Distance and masks will be the most important rules.” In addition, one wants to create the basis for federal states, for local and regional hotspots to react spontaneously.

The Chancellor emphasizes that the corona vaccination will be particularly important for autumn and winter.

+++ 5:12 p.m .:

The statements are over.

Questions from journalists follow.

+++ 17:09:

Giffey also emphasizes that you have to continue to be careful.

Nevertheless, it is "a good day".

Today's resolutions must now be based on the legal basis passed by the Bundestag.

Chancellor Scholz had also emphasized this.

Corona Summit Live: 2G in retail and no more contact restrictions for vaccinated people

+++ 5:08 p.m .:

+++ 17.06:

Now Franziska Giffey speaks.

She praises the decision of the "triple jump".

She apparently means the easing plan.

+++ 5:05 p.m .:

According to Wüst, Germany must “remain careful” “in order not to endanger the first steps of opening”, as he emphasizes.

The further basic protection of the mask requirement and distance requirement is still “the right way” in addition to the vaccination campaign.

+++ 5:03 p.m .:

Wüst thanks Chancellor Scholz for wanting to bring the wishes of the federal states to Parliament.

As an example, he cites the recovered status, which caused a stir in advance.

Corona summit live: Scholz and Wüst give details on loosening and rules

+++ 5 p.m .:

Now NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst speaks.

"We are now in a new phase of the pandemic," said Wüst.

"The withdrawal of fundamental rights encroachments is possible."

+++ 16:58:

Scholz explains that the "ability to act" must be given after March 20th.

The Bundestag must now create the legal basis for this.

In addition, the basis for a “general vaccination obligation” must now be laid.

+++ 4.56 p.m .:

According to Scholz, the three-step opening plan was decided.

There should be gradual relaxation in Germany by March 20, 2022.

Part of this is, among other things, the "Freedom Day" at the end of March.

Scholz nevertheless emphasizes: "The pandemic is not there yet."

Corona Summit Live: "Peak" exceeded by omicron wave

+++ 4.55 p.m .:

According to Scholz, the “peak” of the current corona wave has been passed.

This means that loosening is possible, according to the Chancellor.

One of the central goals of “avoiding a lockdown” has been achieved.

+++ 16:54: Now the press conference starts.

"We are on a special day," introduces Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

+++ 4.50 p.m .:

The press conference of the Corona summit is further delayed.

Numerous camera teams are still waiting for Olaf Scholz and representatives of the federal states.

The main focus of the PK should be the timetable for easing and the associated corona rules in Germany.

+++ 4.39 p.m .:

The podium of the Corona summit is ready.

The press conference, including with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is scheduled to start soon.

+++ 4.30 p.m .:

In a few minutes, those responsible from the federal and state governments want to appear in front of the cameras to present the results of the summit meeting.

The first decision was already known a few moments ago (see update from 4 p.m.).

Corona summit live: First decision probably made

+++ 4 p.m .:

The first decision of the Corona summit is apparently certain.

Specifically, it is about the three-step plan for easing, as reported by the news magazine Spiegel.

However, there are disagreements within the traffic light coalition as to how the omission of most corona measures should be legally compensated.

The daily mirror reports.

According to the report, a kind of basic law for any setbacks, such as new corona waves, was actually intended for the period after March 20, which could be considered “Freedom Day” in Germany.

This law is apparently causing debate in the coalition.

Details are expected at the press conference.

+++ 3.50 p.m .:

There is news in the draft resolution from 2 p.m. on the recovered status and its duration.

Specifically, the paper that is available to our editors says: “The federal states consider it necessary to extend the convalescent status to six months or nine months for those who have been vaccinated twice.” So far it is unclear how the federal government will react to this.

Chancellor Scholz wants to comment on this after the consultations.

+++ 3 p.m .:

The Corona summit is in full swing.

Shortly before the consultation with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the countries are said to have already agreed on a first point.

This emerges from a draft resolution that is available to our editorial team.

The change concerns the classification of high-risk areas.

In view of the high number of infections, new criteria and standards for evaluating risk regions are to be defined.

"In view of the new situation caused by the omicron variant and the high incidences in Germany, it is not justified to classify countries as high-risk areas, especially because of an incidence well above 100," Der Spiegel quotes the draft resolution as saying.

The previous Corona entry regulation is no longer appropriate and would restrict the good of freedom of travel.

“This would also make traveling easier for families, as children under the age of 12 are often not vaccinated and therefore cannot escape quarantine.

The heads of government of the federal states expect the federal government to adapt the relevant regulations quickly.

Corona Summit Live: These changes are planned

+++ 2.15 p.m .:

 In the run-up to the Corona summit, some federal states have already decided to relax measures.

Among other things, Bavaria relaxed the contact restrictions for vaccinated and recovered.

According to the draft resolution of the Corona summit, this easing is also planned nationwide.

2G instead of 2G-Plus and 3G instead of 2G was decided for the culture and sports sector, for example.

The state of Bremen took this step on Monday.

There, for example, the 3G rule was reintroduced in retail.

In addition, new upper limits for the audience at major events were defined, similar to Bavaria.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, too, the state government has already introduced 3G in retail.

In Hamburg, on the other hand, the access restrictions for retailers have already been completely lifted.

There are numerous other examples of regional corona regulations.

At the Corona summit, the federal and state governments now want to agree on a common line and strategy for easing.

+++ 1:00 p.m .:

The Greens have warned the federal and state governments not to ignore children and young people when discussing the easing of corona measures.

These "now need the solidarity and protection of society," said Greens parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann on Wednesday of the AFP news agency in Berlin.

"This applies to better support for psychosocial emergencies and depression and anxiety, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic."

Better support for parents and families is just as necessary when it comes to child sick pay and loss of earnings, said Hasselmann.

“The prime ministers' conference should also deal with the life situation and perspectives of children, young people and families.

We need more support and a safety perspective for children and young people.”

Corona summit live: the federal states are being advised

+++ 12.00 p.m .:

The round of the federal states has started its deliberations.

Among other things, the three-stage plan for the corona easing is being debated.

The aim is to have nationwide rules as far as possible.

+++ 11.20 a.m .:

The Greens want – despite numerous planned corona loosening – to retain more measures than the mask requirement after March 20th.

The day is considered the deadline for a "Freedom Day" in Germany.

"I firmly assume that we will need more than the mask requirement," said Irene Mihalic, Parliamentary Secretary of the Greens, on Wednesday morning in Berlin.

Mihalic named daycare centers, schools and other educational institutions as examples of places where special rules are needed.

+++ 11.00 a.m .:

In a few minutes, the prime ministers of the federal states will meet to discuss in advance.

The consultations with the representatives of the federal government should then take place.

The Corona summit is headed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

+++ 10.30 a.m .:

NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst had already warned early on Wednesday morning about premature loosening of the corona (see update from 9 a.m.).

In the “early start” on Ntv, he followed up – and criticized Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach for going it alone with regard to the recovered status.

"I'm not in favor of Mr. Lauterbach figuring this out on his own." Instead, a joint solution with the federal states would be desirable, said Wüst: "We should return to the old rule that the Bundesrat is subject to approval."

Wüst emphasized that it was a decision of the Federal Ministry of Health that competence in this matter was transferred to the Robert Koch Institute.

"It ended in chaos.

That does not work like this.

We need clarity and reliability.

People must not continue to be unsettled.”

+++ 9:00 a.m .:

Shortly before the start of the Corona summit on Wednesday, there are numerous reports of possible easing in Germany.

In particular, the second draft resolution of the federal-state consultations, which is available to our editorial team, fuels it (see update from February 15th, 2022, 11 p.m.).

Hendrik Hendrik Wüst is obviously going too fast.

The Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia warned against premature easing on Deutschlandfunk on Wednesday morning.

"We need the steps, we shouldn't throw everything overboard that has proven itself as a protective mechanism over the past few months," says Wüst.

Combining "opening" and "mindfulness" must be the goal.

The mask and distance requirement as well as the tests are important as basic protection, he emphasized.

"We should always take 14 days between the stages and look in both directions to see whether we've succeeded or not, whether we have to be more careful," explained Wüst.

Corona Summit Live: New easing planned

Update from Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 7 a.m.:

Today, Wednesday (February 16, 2022), the federal and state governments will meet again for a Corona summit to discuss how to proceed in the pandemic in Germany.

However, the signs are clearly pointing to easing, as shown by an initial draft resolution that our editorial team has received.

This mainly talks about extensive easing for private meetings and about a 3G regulation in gastronomy.

Major events with a larger audience should also be possible again.

Corona summit live: Lauterbach gives details of easing

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, however, positioned himself immediately before the federal-state meeting against a complete reduction in the corona requirements.

Lauterbach told the dpa that it was time to relax with a sense of proportion.

However, the ability to react quickly and flexibly is still necessary because the virus does not disappear immediately.

"That's why we have to formulate the Infection Protection Act in such a way that basic protection is guaranteed and can be extended if necessary," said Lauterbach.

Even after March 20th, more should be possible than just “mask and distance”.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) warns before the Corona summit that the requirements will be completely reduced.

© Michael Sohn/dpa

Corona summit: New draft resolution provides for further easing

Update from Tuesday, February 15th, 2022, 11 p.m.:

Shortly before the Corona summit on Wednesday (February 15th, 2022) a surprise is looming.

As emerged from a first draft resolution that is available to our editorial team, there are said to be numerous relaxations of the pandemic measures in Germany.

It has now transpired that it could be relaxed even further.

This emerges from a new draft resolution, which is also available to our editorial team.

According to the report, the second draft on the subject of private meetings states: “In a first step, private meetings for vaccinated and recovered people will again be possible without limiting the number of participants”.

In the previous paper, there was still talk of an upper limit of 20 people.

Ten people are currently allowed to meet privately.

According to Business Insider, the upper limit for spectators at events should also be increased.

Indoors, a maximum utilization of 60 instead of 40 percent of the respective maximum capacity should be allowed.

According to the report, the maximum number of people was also increased in the draft resolution: from 4,000 to 6,000.

Corona summit: new rules, relaxation, "Freedom Day" - that should change

First report from Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 2:15 p.m.:

Berlin – A new corona summit is on the political agenda.

The representatives of the federal and state governments will meet in Berlin on Wednesday (February 16, 2022) to discuss Germany's next steps in the corona pandemic.

The point in time is not chosen by chance: according to the forecasts of Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach* and RKI boss Lothar Wieler, the peak of the omicron wave* should be reached in mid-February.

On Tuesday, the minister even announced in the Bild newspaper that the "peak was passed".

In fact, the number of cases has been falling for a few days.

However, after weeks of increasing, they are still at a comparatively high level.

One factor that experts have repeatedly brought into play in recent months is the incidence of hospitalization, i.e. the utilization of hospitals and clinics.

The situation in the intensive care units remains tense.

According to data from the DIVI intensive care register, 2479 Covid-19 patients are currently being cared for (as of February 15, 2022).

Corona summit: New easing planned for MPK

Apart from the situation in the intensive care units, the vaccination rate in Germany is increasing: according to data from the federal government, 74.9 percent (about 62.3 million people) have now been vaccinated twice against the corona virus.

55.6 percent (about 46.2 million people) have already received their booster vaccination.

In the run-up to the Corona summit, this fact repeatedly called for those responsible to call for easing.

Above all, representatives of the FDP* attracted attention.

But Chancellor Olaf Scholz* and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck* also commented on this.

The first draft resolution of the federal-state consultations, which is available to our editors, provides for far-reaching relaxation of the corona measures and rules*.

On March 20, 2022 - the beginning of spring - "extensive restrictions on social, cultural and economic life should be gradually lifted".

The concrete measures which are to be decided according to the draft resolution of the Corona summit again in a compact overview:

• Contact restrictions:

  Up to 20 recovered and vaccinated people should be allowed to meet again.

• Events:

  Events should be possible again with the 2G or 2G Plus concept.

• Gastronomy:

  Bars and restaurants should be allowed to open again with the 3G concept.

• Retail:

  Restrictions in retail are to be abolished.

• Discotheques and clubs:

  With the 2G Plus concept, dance halls should be allowed to open again.

(tu/as/tvd/aa)