Corona dispute looms: FDP against all 16 prime ministers?

"No restrictions on freedom in stock!"

Created: 02/19/2022, 06:23

By: Sven Hauberg

Christian Dürr says: "People want to return to normality." © Christian Spicker via www.imago-images.de

FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr calls on the federal states not to extend general corona protection measures beyond March 19.

Karl Lauterbach, on the other hand, urges caution.

Berlin – The federal and state governments had actually agreed at the Corona summit on Wednesday (February 16) to gradually withdraw the Corona restrictions*.

The rules are to be relaxed in three steps - so that from March 20th all serious restrictions will finally fall.

But only a few days later, there were signs of a dispute over the agreed package of measures.

For example, FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr rejects calls from the federal states to maintain general measures beyond March 19.

If, for example, there is a need for a new Corona variant *, the Bundestag could “decide restrictions within a few days,” said Dürr on Friday in the ARD “Morgenmagazin”.

"What we shouldn't do are restrictions on freedom in advance," demanded the FDP politician.

In his opinion, something like that would be a very bad sign for democracy.

Corona pandemic: Dürr for specific measures

From March 20, Dürr continued, only specific measures should then be taken, which had to be effective and effective.

This included Dürr testing in retirement and nursing homes to protect vulnerable groups.

He could also imagine a mask requirement on buses and trains as well as in old people’s and nursing homes.

But what you don't need is a "wide range of instruments," according to Dürr: "People want to return to normality."

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU), who attested Scholz's lack of home power* - and doubted the implementation of the "basic protection"* requested by the states at the summit, could be right.

According to NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), 16 state leaders had called for such basic measures after the so-called Freedom Day.

Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach* (SPD), on the other hand, warned the prime ministers of the federal states to enter a race to relax the corona measures.

"If we open too quickly, the number of cases will increase again," said the SPD politician on Friday in Berlin.

It is currently possible to afford moderate easing, as decided at the most recent prime ministerial conference, but not excessive easing.

It would be wrong to want to gain political ground with further relaxation measures, said the Federal Minister of Health.

The measures decided at the Corona summit are the benchmark: “We have to implement it like clockwork.”

Corona pandemic: Lauterbach warns of a dangerous situation in autumn

Lauterbach justified his assessment with the existing risk factors.

According to the latest research findings, the omicron variant BA.2 is not only more contagious, its course is also more difficult.

In addition, there are three to four times as many unvaccinated people in the over 60 age group in Germany compared to other countries.

Lauterbach also spoke of risks with a view to the fall.

Corona variants that penetrate deeper than the omicron into human tissue could occur again.

This would be a more dangerous situation.

That is why he is in favor of general vaccination* from the age of 18 and will vote in the Bundestag for the corresponding group application.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the 16 prime ministers decided on Wednesday that the contact restrictions for vaccinated and recovered people and the 2G rules in retail should be lifted as a first step in easing *.

From March 4th, the 3G rule will apply to restaurants and hotels.

In addition, clubs and bars are allowed to reopen, but only under 2G+ requirements.

Also from March 4th, new upper limits for visitors will apply to major events: a maximum of 25,000 visitors may be admitted outdoors, and 6,000 people indoors with a maximum occupancy rate of 60 percent.

From March 20th, according to the plan, almost all other measures that have been in force so far will be dropped, including the home office requirement.

However, this only “if the situation in the hospitals allows it”, according to the decision of the federal and state governments.

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