Jens Spahn on fourth corona wave – “Have to break the dynamics” (video)

Original sound from Jens Spahn (CDU), executive federal health minister: “And the situation is serious and I recommend all of us to take it seriously. The number of infections is rising very sharply. We are now at a 7-day incidence of over 260. And the infection rate, the R value, has been far too long, since the end of September, well above 1. That means, if nothing happens, the incidence will continue to double every two weeks mean, we are already seeing in the intensive care units in some regions in Germany, especially in Saxony, Thuringia and Bavaria. There are clinics there that are already over the limit. We have to do everything now, do everything necessary to achieve this dynamic Otherwise it will be a bitter December for the whole country. Vaccination makes all the difference. That continues to apply. But vaccination also takes time to have its full effect each can unfold. That’s why we have to test significantly more quickly in this situation. In addition, it has been agreed that we will reintroduce the free citizen tests and thus financially secure the short-term reconstruction of a nationwide test infrastructure. Today I am signing the test ordinance that makes this possible, that reintroduces the citizen tests. That is all right and important, but none of that is enough. At least not anymore. There is also an urgent need for mandatory testing for staff and visitors in nursing homes. Incidentally, this is also more important than a mandatory vaccination in this area because, in our opinion, vaccinated and recovered visitors and employees in the care facilities must also be tested regularly, ideally on a daily basis, in order to avoid entry into the care facilities. It takes 3G in the workplace. It is good that the trade unions and employers are now supporting this and that a legal regulation should come about. And then we will also have to talk about the requirements for events. 3G was a good idea, but too often it remained theory. 3G was 0G too often because it wasn’t really controlled and couldn’t really have any effect. We can no longer afford that. Not in this position. What’s more, 3G alone will no longer be enough, if we really want to break the current pandemic dynamics, we must act more decisively. And that also includes testing. With this high incidence, where the vaccinated and recovered are also part of the infection development in Germany. You can do this by testing people who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. Therefore, from my point of view, from our point of view, it would be logical if we firstly only enable public events for vaccinated and convalescent people and secondly only if they also have a current test, 2G plus. “