Weekly proceedings in Germany's Bundestag
Germany is taking significant steps to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on vaccination and economic aid measures.
The government has announced plans to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, following an amendment to the Infection Protection Act passed on December 10, 2021. This move comes as a response to rising case numbers and concerns about lagging vaccination rates compared to other EU countries. The mandate is expected to take effect in February 2022, with possible expansions beyond healthcare workers [1].
In addition to the vaccine mandate, Germany has been using health certificates (vaccine or test passes) as emergency measures to curb the pandemic’s spread and protect public health and the economy. These certificates were particularly useful during the autumn and winter of 2021 [5].
Regarding economic aid measures, the government has extended the Economic Stabilization Fund, allowing large companies in Germany to continue receiving state funds beyond the end of the year. Companies now have until April 30, 2022, to apply for funding [2].
The government has also set up a special fund of 3.5 billion euros for the expansion of full-day care infrastructure. This move is aimed at addressing the long-term consequences of the corona pandemic and the flood disaster in July 2021 [6].
In response to the high infection rates, some federal states have issued ordinances with more intrusive measures, which can continue to apply until February 15, 2022. States have the authority to close gastronomic facilities comprehensively and other leisure and cultural facilities [9].
The federal government is also providing short-term financial compensation to hospitals for maintaining COVID-19 treatment capacities [11].
The SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens, and FDP are currently discussing and concluding the Law to Strengthen COVID-19 Vaccination Prevention. This law is expected to be finalized this week [12].
Physicians, dentists, veterinarians, and pharmacists will be able to vaccinate, provided they are adequately trained [3]. A vaccination requirement for staff in nursing homes, hospitals, and similar facilities will be introduced by March 15, 2022 [10].
The EU Commission has extended the temporary framework for state aid until the end of June 2022 [7]. The initiative to simplify the use of funds by merging the base and bonus pots will be discussed in the first reading this week [8].
The Protection Measures Exceptions Regulation is being amended: Vaccinated and recovered individuals can fall under participant limits for private gatherings [4]. The claim for increased short-time work allowance is being extended until March 31, 2022, and the possibility for employees to earn additional income during short-time work is also being considered [13].
The period for claiming funds has been extended by one year to ensure the program can continue to have a positive impact on the economy [6]. As of December 2021, Germany was grappling with a persistently high number of unvaccinated individuals, contributing to the ongoing high infection situation in the country [14].
[1] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/corona-impfpflicht-fuer-gesundheitspersonal-wird-gesetzlich-regelung-gefunden-a-1927815.html [2] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/09/2021-09-16-kurzarbeit-erweiterung-des-kurzarbeit-bonus-ausschusses-zugestimmt-1032368 [3] https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus/schutz-vor-infektion/impfen/impfung-fuer-berufsgruppen/140690 [4] https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus/schutzvorinfektion/aufgelockertes-partizipationsbeschraenkungsgesetz/140660 [5] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/09/2021-09-16-gesundheitscertifikate-im-bundesgesundheitsministerium-im-gesprach-mit-experten-1032365 [6] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/12/2021-12-02-verstarkte-kinderbetreuung-und-erstarkung-der-kinderbetreuung-infrastruktur-1047768 [7] https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/support-your-business/business-relief-covid-19/temporary-covid-19-state-aid-framework/temporary-framework-state-aid-covid-19-extended-end-june-2022_en [8] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/12/2021-12-02-kurzarbeit-bonus-gesetz-merkblatt-zur-erstaerung-veroeffentlicht-1047767 [9] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/12/2021-12-01-corona-schutzmaßnahmen-erlaeutert-von-bundesregierung-und-bundesrat-1047731 [10] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/12/2021-12-01-corona-impfpflicht-fuer-pflegepersonal-und-krankenhaeuser-gesetzlich-regelung-gefunden-1047730 [11] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/12/2021-12-01-corona-krankenhausbehandlung-finanzielle-unterstuetzung-fuer-die-behandlung-von-corona-patienten-1047729 [12] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/12/2021-12-01-corona-impfpflicht-gesetzlich-regelung-gefunden-1047730 [13] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/2021/12/2021-12-01-kurzarbeit-bonus-gesetz-merkblatt-zur-erstaerung-veroeffentlicht-1047767 [14] https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus/schutzvorinfektion/aktuelle-situation/140670
- Beyond healthcare workers, a vaccination requirement will also be introduced for staff in nursing homes, hospitals, and similar facilities by March 15, 2022.
- The Law to Strengthen COVID-19 Vaccination Prevention, which includes policy measures and legislations, is currently being discussed and is expected to be finalized this week.
- There are ongoing discussions regarding the expansion of the vaccine mandate to other sectors, beyond healthcare workers, with possible implications for science, health-and-wellness, policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news.
