Monday, October 25, 2021
Despite massive criticism
Spahn wants to continue to end the epidemic emergency
Health Minister Spahn triggered sharp criticism with his attempt to end the epidemic emergency in Germany. In view of the vaccination quota, however, he is sticking to it – it is time to hand over responsibility to the federal states. However, that does not mean that action is no longer necessary.
Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn from the CDU believes that the so-called epidemic situation in the corona pandemic should expire – despite major criticism of this stance. In the ZDF “heute-journal” he said: “The state of emergency, established by the Bundestag, can, in my opinion, be ended because four out of five adults are vaccinated.” This topic has been controversial for days, also in view of the currently increasing number of infections in Germany. Critics fear a “patchwork quilt” of measures and regulations if the “epidemic situation of national scope” expires.
Spahn said that this would not declare the pandemic over. “Like many others, I keep saying that we still need precautionary measures in autumn and winter, especially 3G – vaccinated, recovered, tested – indoors, especially medical protective masks, AHA rules, on buses and trains, in retail. ” A change in the law would make it possible for the federal states and the local authorities to take these measures independently of the state of emergency. “I also expressly support that.”
He also strongly promotes the fact that there are special protective measures in schools and care facilities, for example. Not everything is as it was before Corona. “We are now in a state of particular caution where certain protective measures continue to apply.”
At the end of August, the Bundestag extended the “epidemic situation of national importance” for a further three months. It expires automatically if it is not renewed by Parliament. The “epidemic situation” gives federal and state governments powers to issue ordinances on corona measures such as mask requirements, distance and contact restrictions or the procurement of vaccines.