Corona pandemic
The 10-point plan of the SME Association
Employees are checked by security staff at the entrance to the Otto Group’s Otto campus in accordance with 3G rules. Photo: Marcus Brandt / dpa
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The situation has been worsening for weeks – why don’t the federal and state governments come together? Medium-sized companies in Germany are concerned – and are making specific suggestions.
The SME Association BVMW has approached the incumbent and future federal government with a list of suggestions for faster coping with the corona pandemic.
The ten-point agenda provides, among other things, a vaccination requirement and a quickly convened Prime Minister’s Conference (MPK), as the association announced on Monday to the German press agency. “It is incomprehensible why a (digital) emergency MPK with the involvement of business representatives has not been scheduled for the beginning of the week”, is the first point.
There is no getting around a compulsory vaccination, it also says in the proposal list. All available company doctors would also have to be involved in the vaccination campaign. The association recommends 2G plus for events, i.e. access only for vaccinated and convalescent people with a test. In all other “social areas, the 2G regulation should apply immediately from the age of twelve”. At 2G, vaccinated and convalescent people have access even without a test.
In the opinion of the BVMW, the government should also set up an emergency program for the procurement of vaccines for third-party vaccinations as well as a rapid program for the development of vaccines against new variants.
To improve the situation in the hospitals, the association demands: “Nursing staff and clinic staff from abroad receive immediate work permits for Germany.” If necessary, the state would have to make advance financial payments for higher intensive care bed capacities.
In view of the rapid spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, which was first discovered in southern Africa, the association is calling for a worldwide “flight lockdown” for virus high-risk areas. “This also applies to non-direct flights to Germany.” The association rejects a lockdown for schools, companies and daycare centers.