Status: 11/17/2021 1:25 p.m.
The retail sector is resisting tightening the corona measures. The trade association warned of long queues in front of the shops and company bankruptcies if the 2G rule should be introduced for purchases.
The German Retail Association (HDE) has rejected additional requirements for retailers to protect against corona infections. In view of the hygiene concepts in retail, neither a new lockdown for the shops nor a 2G regulation for access to the shops are necessary or useful, said HDE managing director Stefan Genth at a congress in Berlin. The mask requirement is sufficient to protect customers from infection.
If 2G is ordered in retail, according to Genth, “then we will have a turnover and decrease in frequency that is so massive that many companies will certainly not be able to survive it in winter, during the Christmas season”. In an interview with the “Handelsblatt”, Genth pointed out that the necessary controls for a 2G and 3G access rule meant a lot of effort, especially in industries with high customer frequency such as grocery or clothing stores. “As a result, there would definitely be long queues in front of the doors of the shops,” he said. “This should urgently be avoided for reasons of protection against infection.”
Criticism of the cancellation of Christmas markets
Genth is also critical of the cancellation of major events such as Christmas markets, which are of great importance for city centers. “The more of these events that cannot take place, the more difficult it will be for the retailers all around.”
Saxony had already announced that it would also introduce the 2G rule in retail. Then only those who have recovered or who have been vaccinated will be allowed to shop there. The rule comes into force as soon as the so-called overload level is reached. Tomorrow the federal and state governments will hold a meeting to discuss various measures to reduce the recent sharp rise in the number of new corona infections.
Association calls for more commitment for a higher vaccination rate
The HDE managing director urged the federal and state governments to do more to increase the vaccination rate instead of adopting further restrictions. France achieved significantly higher vaccination rates with a tougher approach.
Genth was not satisfied with the political crisis management to date. “Sometimes I would like to see much more stringent management skills. Nobody can understand that we do not have a permanent crisis team in the Chancellery with the federal states and the federal government,” he said. This is where the new federal government is called upon. Most recently, the HDE had already demanded that the state corona aid must be extended beyond the end of the year.