The numbers continue to rise, the fourth wave is imminent. For this reason, the federal and state governments have now agreed on new corona rules for autumn and winter. Find out what will soon apply to the unvaccinated and the vaccinated.
After the Ministry of Health had already emphasized the need for further protective measures “to protect the health system from excessive burden” and unvaccinated groups of people from a possible “consequential disease”, the federal and state governments have now reacted and adopted new measures and rules, as reported by Tagesschau . This is to avert another lockdown.
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Increasing vaccination rates has top priority
To date, around 60 percent of Germans have been vaccinated at least once, and more than 50 percent are fully vaccinated . The primary goal is therefore to win over even more people for the corona vaccination – including those who have not been reached by the previous offer or who have voluntarily decided against an early vaccination. The next measure could also contribute to an increase in the vaccination rate.
No more free corona tests
The free citizen tests will soon be a thing of the past. Because from October 11th, unvaccinated people will have to pay for their corona tests themselves. However, exceptions apply to people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and to population groups for which the Standing Vaccination Commission has not issued a general vaccination recommendation. This includes pregnant women, children and young people. The decision is justified by the fact that all citizens can be offered vaccinations by October.
The Federal Ministry of Health is also calling on the federal states to establish test concepts for daycare centers and schools in autumn and winter.
The “3G rule” indoors
Certain actions and participation in indoor events will only be possible for those who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested (3G) from August 23 at the latest. This includes:
- Visits to hospitals and nursing homes
- indoor catering
- hotel overnight stays
- physical services
- Sports indoors
- indoor events
- Large indoor and outdoor events
Negative antigen rapid tests must not be older than 24 hours – PCR tests not older than 48 hours.
AHA+L rules still apply
In addition to achieving a higher vaccination rate, the usual hygiene and distance rules should continue to be observed – especially if the vaccination status of other people is unknown or vulnerable people are present. The mask requirement therefore still applies and it is estimated that wearing a medical mask will be necessary at least until spring 2022.
Contact restrictions possible
The Ministry of Health also does not rule out the imposition of contact restrictions: “Especially for unvaccinated people, depending on the vaccination rate, the incidence (by age group) and the Covid 19 hospitalization rate (by age group) above certain limit values, further restrictions may become necessary again.”
