Infection Protection Act: Traffic light parties sharpen the bill

The bill by the SPD, Greens and FDP to combat the corona pandemic did not go far enough for many. The traffic light parties have therefore apparently tightened it: Contact restrictions should not be abolished after all.

The corona numbers are rising dramatically – and the more they increase, the louder the criticism of the legislative proposals by the SPD, Greens and FDP for the future fight against the pandemic. But now the possible coalition partners have apparently sharpened their plans. So the possibility of contact restrictions should not be abolished. This emerges from an agreement between representatives of the three parliamentary groups that the dpa news agency has received.

In addition, unvaccinated people should no longer be allowed to use buses and trains without a negative test – regardless of the mask requirement that continues to apply. Without these tightening of the previous plans, certain measures would no longer be possible after the legal status of the national epidemic situation expired on November 25th. However, the three parties are sticking to the plan to end the epidemic special status.

Opening clause for the federal states

“The possibility of being able to order contact restrictions in private and in public space is to be added to the catalog of measures,” agreed the possible partners of a so-called traffic light coalition, which is expected to be formed. Greens boss Robert Habeck explained in the daily topics: “Contact prohibition or 2G regulation means in large parts: Lockdown for unvaccinated people. That is the vulgar translation.”

The federal states should also get an opening clause. That means, by resolution of their respective state parliament, they should be able to retain certain measures. For example, they should be able to prohibit or restrict leisure, cultural and sporting events as well as gatherings, prohibit entry to health facilities, prohibit the sale and public consumption of alcohol and close universities.

“In this way, on the one hand, regionally different infections can be combated in a very targeted manner, on the other hand, we are shifting responsibility there from the executive back to the parliaments,” it said to justify the state clause. In the future, in addition to the mask requirement, a 3G rule will apply in local and long-distance public transport: “Anyone who uses public transport must either be vaccinated, recovered or tested,” it was explained.

No more curfews

Exit or travel restrictions should no longer be possible after the end of the epidemic emergency, and neither should the prohibition or restriction of restaurants and hotels as well as trade and commerce. The practice of sport should also no longer be prohibited or restricted in the future.

There is also a change in the time limit for the measures. So far, the SPD, Greens and FDP had set the end date of March 19, 2022. Now there should be a one-time extension option: “The Bundestag is authorized to extend the validity of the regulations by a maximum of three months by March 19, 2022.”

Today is the consultation of experts, which is part of the legislative process. The Bundestag is supposed to vote on Thursday. “The law is now getting a new legal basis, a more secure legal basis,” said Habeck. “We are only taking away the possibility: area-wide lockdown without differentiation for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.”

Numerous critics, especially from science, but also state health ministers of the Greens had criticized the plan in the last few days to completely dispense with instruments such as contact restrictions. The Union parliamentary group had announced that it would apply to the Bundestag for an extension of the epidemic status in order to prevent an end to the contact restrictions.