Status: 02/17/2022 1:20 p.m
Lower Saxony’s state government presented plans for reducing the corona rules on Thursday. It is relaxed in three stages. Schools are also gradually returning to normal.
Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) spoke regarding the Federal and state resolutions on Wednesday about a “new chapter in the fight against the pandemic”. As jointly decided, the corona measures are to be relaxed in Lower Saxony in three stages: probably on February 24th, March 4th and March 20th. From March 20th, with the exception of the mask, normality will prevail, says Weil. “We can gradually transition from hibernation to spring awakening.”
New regulation: 2G instead of 2G-Plus
With the new regulation, which according to Weil should come into force by February 24 at the latest, many areas will initially be switched from 2G-Plus to 2G – this means that vaccinated and recovered people no longer need an additional test in order to be able to enter restaurants, for example . From March 4th, this will also be possible for unvaccinated people who present a negative corona test (3G). From March 20th, the 3G rule will also be dropped, according to Weil. Lower Saxony will largely be based on the decisions of the federal and state governments, he said.
School: Gradual elimination of tests and compulsory masks
Relaxation is also planned at schools, as Minister of Education Grant Hendrik Tonne (SPD) explained. From March 7th, instead of the daily tests, there will only be three self-tests per week. In the week and a half after the Easter holidays, there should be daily tests again due to the expected increase in travel – after that only occasion-related and voluntary tests. The mask requirement is also to be gradually phased out: in the two weeks before the Easter holidays, this is to be eliminated at primary schools and special schools during lessons. Pupils of secondary level I and II should no longer have to wear a mask in class after the end of the one and a half “safety weeks” after the Easter holidays. Class trips should also be possible again after the Easter holidays.
Althusmann: “Prospects for gastronomy, tourism and events in Lower Saxony”
Economics Minister Bernd Althusmann expects a stable year for tourism.
With the new regulations, the state government is creating a reliable perspective for the tourism, gastronomy and event industry, said Economics Minister Bernd Althusmann (CDU). “2022 can be another stable year for tourism in Lower Saxony.” For the itinerant trade, access for vaccinated and recovered people without additional tests from February 24 at the latest is a noticeable relief. From this point on, 3G already applies to business trips – even those who have not been vaccinated or have recovered can be accommodated with a negative test result. From March 4th, this will also apply to private trips. This step comes for the industry in time for the start of the Easter business, said Althusmann.
Clubs and discos will open with 2G Plus from March 4th
The fact that those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered can come together at private events with the new regulation without a limit on participants also means a relief for the catering trade, especially the country inns. “This means that gastronomy in Lower Saxony will once again have a perspective,” said the Economics Minister. Clubs, discos and dance events are allowed to open again from March 4th under 2G Plus conditions – i.e. for vaccinated and recovered people with negative test evidence. In order to take into account the high risk of infection in these areas, according to Althusmann, the mask requirement will remain in place for the time being.
Weil calls for “tool box” for the countries from March 20th
Prime Minister Stephan Weil insists on further options for action for the federal states.
Both Althusmann and Weil drew attention to the fact that in the future it will be increasingly important for citizens to take personal responsibility. The Prime Minister also urgently appealed to the federal government that the federal states would also need a “tool box” from March 20th in order to remain able to act if necessary. Because: “The virus is still active and the pandemic is not over,” says Weil. The legal authorization of the federal states for measures to protect against infection will expire on the deadline, explained Weil: Then there would no longer be a legal basis for their own corona regulations in Lower Saxony.
It could become a problem again in the fall
Looking towards spring and summer is optimistic, but autumn could bring new problems – for example a new mutation of the corona virus, the return of an old mutation or other previously unforeseeable events. To ensure that the fall of the past two years does not repeat itself, Weil sees only two options: a network of restrictive measures or a high vaccination rate in society as a whole.
Minister of Health: Prepare for the fall
Health Minister Daniela Behrens wants to continue to monitor the corona situation in the summer.
In view of the expert assessments, Health Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) warned to prepare in good time for the fall “so that we don’t run into a wave like we had in the last two years.” Lower Saxony will therefore get a picture of the burden of disease in the summer and continue the intensive monitoring of hospitalization, intensive care bed occupancy combined with the health data from the health insurance companies. In addition, the state government wants to continue to advertise, inform and advise on the corona vaccination in the summer. The vaccination infrastructure with the mobile teams should be retained – in addition to the vaccination options in doctor’s offices and pharmacies. The vaccination rate is not yet optimal, especially for older people, said Behrens, who again spoke out in favor of general vaccination. “We need them by autumn at the latest.”
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