The association of intensive care physicians warns of a high corona incidence in Germany. Action must be taken urgently – otherwise a relaxed summer could be “frivolously gambled away”. All developments in the live ticker.
D.he intensive care physicians are calling for a return to a nationwide lockdown in view of the rapidly increasing number of new corona infections. “It has to be acted urgently,” said the President of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive and Emergency Medicine (Divi), Gernot Marx of the “Augsburger Allgemeine“.
The seven-day incidence could rise very quickly to 200 in Germany without intervention and lead to significantly higher numbers of intensive care patients. “From our point of view, there can only be a return to the lockdown from February,” emphasized Marx. Everything else is not responsible.
Marx warned that this is now the point in time when a relaxed summer could be frivolously gambled away. “Everything you allow yourself now has to be paid for later with interest and compound interest,” he added. “There is a lot of suffering involved,” said the intensive care doctor. Even patients who are not confronted with a severe course of Covid-19 would be plagued with long-term effects such as exhaustion or the loss of the sense of taste.
Dreyer calls for regional solutions for openingsDreyer fordert regionale Lösungen für Öffnungen
The Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, Malu Dreyer (SPD), wants to advertise regional solutions with further openings at the federal-state summit on Monday. She told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that in model municipalities or districts with an incidence below 100 that can demonstrate a seamless test and contact recording system, outdoor restaurants, culture and retail should be able to open up to customers with a daily Corona test. In addition, she wants to adhere to the step-by-step plan for openings that the federal and state governments decided on March 3. The condition, however, is compliance with the agreed emergency brake, which provides for consistent closing again from an incidence of 100. The emergency brake is “a mandatory element of the plan as well as testing and vaccination”.
Söder does not want any relaxationSöder will keine Lockerungen
The Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) sees no possibility of relaxing the current protective measures in view of the increasing number of corona infections. “Further openings make no sense in view of the increasing number of infections. The emergency brake must apply to everyone. And consistently, ”said Söder of the“ Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung ”. The emergency brake, which the federal and state governments had agreed, provides for systematic closure if the incidence in a region is over 100 for three days in a row.
Ifo boss complains about the lack of proactive policy in German corona managementIfo-Chef beklagt Fehlen proaktiver Politik im deutschen Corona-Management
In view of the increasing number of corona infections in Germany, the head of the Munich Ifo Institute, Clemens Fuest, has warned of a “stutter lockdown”. “A problem of the debate and current politics is that only the alternatives of opening versus lockdown are thought of,” Fuest told the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. The economist complained about the lack of a “more proactive policy in corona management” in Germany. Above all, Fuest criticized an inadequate test strategy. It would have been crucial to tie relaxation to test concepts, he said. Actually available tests would enable safe and sustainable openings. It would also detect more infections.
Corona rapid tests on the ferry: shipping company ready for vacationersCorona-Schnelltests an der Fähre: Reederei bereit für Urlauber
The shipping company Norden-Frisia wants to be prepared for possible vacationers and has set up a center for corona rapid tests at the ferry terminal in Norddeich. “In the event that a mandatory test regulation comes, we are prepared,” said shipping company spokesman Fred Meyer of the German press agency. Business travelers or craftsmen who want to go to Juist and Norderney can already voluntarily have themselves tested for Corona. The rapid antigen tests are carried out by a service provider on behalf of the shipping company. For this purpose, containers were set up just a few meters from the ferry dock.
The offer is already well received, said Meyer. Another test offer is to be set up on Norderney in the coming week. When it comes to the question of whether Easter holidays on the islands will still be possible, the shipping company is “cautiously optimistic”. Meyer also made it clear: If a test is actually compulsory, travelers would also be asked to bring a negative corona test with them before starting the ferry trip. “Our offer can only be an addition.”
On Friday, representatives of the East Frisian Islands campaigned to allow island vacations soon with the help of a double test strategy. Accordingly, vacationers should only be allowed to travel with a negative PCR test that is not older than 48 hours in the future. A quick test, for example on the ferry in Norddeich, would then not be enough. Two to four days later, guests should then undergo another rapid corona test on an island. Weekly repetitions are planned for longer stays.
Schwesig: “Talking about contact-free vacation in your own state”Schwesig: „Über kontaktfreien Urlaub im eigenen Bundesland reden“
Despite the nationwide increase in the number of infections, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) does not consider Easter holidays in the immediate vicinity to be ruled out. “We should at least talk about whether there are opportunities for a contact-free vacation in our own federal state,” said Schwesig before the federal-state summit planned for Monday on how to proceed in the corona pandemic.
“Many people do not understand that there are opportunities for an Easter holiday on Mallorca, but not even a vacation home in their own state can be rented at home,” said Schwesig in explanation. The tourism industry had already made it clear that it also expects more extensive openings from hotels and guest houses. The travel industry in Germany has been idle since November. With the removal of Mallorca from the list of corona risk areas, among other things, it has been possible to vacation on the Mediterranean island again without quarantine and mandatory testing upon return for a week.
Schwesig expressed understanding for the impatience of hoteliers and restaurant operators. “In gastronomy and tourism in particular, many companies are reaching their limits. If opening is not possible in the short term, then there must be additional support for these sectors in particular, ”warned the SPD politician.
She also sees the development of the nationwide corona numbers with concern. If the next steps in Germany are discussed on Monday, schools and daycare centers should continue to have top priority. “We brought most of the children back to schools and daycare centers. That is important for the children as well as for the parents, ”said Schwesig.