Infections, hospitalizations and deaths are growing almost everywhere in Europe, and among the most dramatic situations is that of Germany.
Angela Merkel announced that Germany will introduce stricter restrictions for the unvaccinated and the obligation to vaccinate for some categories, primarily health personnel and certain groups in contact with vulnerable people.
The decisions were made in the State-Regions conference: "The situation is highly dramatic", said Merkel, "it is absolutely time to act, the current growth dynamic of the virus marks a very difficult situation".
The State-Regions Conference has also established thresholds beyond which “tougher measures” are used. Basically, an extension of the 2G model that partially excludes the unvaccinated from public life in the event that the hospitalization rate rises above 3 on a regional level. A measure that the Chancellor called "very positive". From a value of 6 of the hospitalization rate, instead, the "2G Plus" is triggered, with a swab also for vaccinated and cured of Covid, while further restrictions will be decided - again at a regional level - from a value of 9.
The cases recorded in the last 24 hours by the Robert Koch Institut are 65,371, a new peak after yesterday's almost 53,000. On the other hand, there are 264 deaths. The weekly incidence is 336.9 positive per 100 thousand inhabitants, while the hospitalization index has risen to 5.15 patients per 100 thousand inhabitants.
Parliament today also approved the "3G" model (our Green pass with vaccine, healing or tampon) in the workplace and on public transport. Saxony is the most affected region, in which a general lockdown is already being planned, with the closure of restaurants, shops and hotels until 15 December. After the approval of the Bundestag, the approval of the Bundesrat, the Federal Senate, is awaited.
"We have never been so worried as we are now", "we are in a very serious emergency situation" and "we will have a truly terrible Christmas if we do not take something against the current trend," said Robert Koch Institut President Lothar Wieler.
(Unioneonline / L)