Weekly Updates from the German Parliament (Bundestag)
Germany Strengthens Pandemic Measures with Hospitalization Incidence Threshold
In a significant move to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the German government has agreed upon an escalation of measures based on the hospitalization incidence threshold. This decision was made during a meeting on 18 November 2021, attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel, Chancellor-in-waiting Olaf Scholz, and the 16 state premiers.
The key provisions of the Draft Bill to Amend the Infection Protection Act, which is set to be discussed in the Bundestag this week, focus on using the hospitalization incidence as a benchmark. This new measure aims to trigger progressively tougher anti-pandemic measures.
- Hospitalization Incidence Threshold: The hospitalization incidence, defined as the number of COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 residents over seven days, will serve as a critical new measure for triggering restrictions.
If hospitalizations exceed: - 3 per 100,000, public leisure facilities will operate under the "2G" rule (only vaccinated or recovered persons allowed). - 6 per 100,000, the "2G+" rule will apply (vaccinated or recovered plus an additional test requirement). - 9 per 100,000, further measures such as contact restrictions will be implemented.
This change aims to make the threshold for interventions more relevant to hospital burden and healthcare capacity, addressing criticisms of relying solely on the prior seven-day incidence of cases.
- State Autonomy: The draft bill provides for a limited federal state opening clause, allowing states to decide on further measures like canceling events or temporarily closing leisure facilities.
Other notable points from the Draft Bill include:
- Punishable offenses: Blank vaccination certificates and their trade will be made punishable, as will issuing vaccination or test certificates for deceitful purposes. Doctors who issue false health certificates will be criminally liable in the future.
- Vaccination Rates: More than two-thirds of citizens are fully vaccinated in the country.
- Healthcare Capacity: Hospitals and intensive care units are reaching their capacity limits.
- Subsidy Increase: The GKV subsidy will be increased by another seven billion euros in 2022, totaling 28.5 billion euros.
- Expanded Penal Laws: The penal laws regarding the forgery of health certificates will be expanded.
- Hospital Surcharge: Hospitals will receive an additional care surcharge for treating COVID-19 patients.
- Extended Regulations: Regulations such as simplified access to basic security, COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance measures, parental leave extensions, suspension of the annual minimum income threshold, and data processing authorization for employers will be extended.
- 3G Rule: A mandatory 3G rule will be implemented in workplaces and public transport.
- Home Office: Home office will be required where it is operationally possible for employees.
This update to the Infection Protection Act, which also includes a vaccine mandate for health workers, was passed in December 2021. The aim is to provide options for action to secure the pandemic while respecting fundamental rights.
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