“One should consider whether vaccinated status is no longer valid after nine months”
The intensive care units in hospitals in Bavaria are always full
“It is largely 2G in Bavaria,” said Markus Söder (CSU) after the meeting in Munich. He emphasized that there is a threat of competition between Covid patients and people with other diseases because of the high number of intensive care patients. The mask requirement at Bavaria’s schools is extended indefinitely.
Markus Söder sees an increasingly difficult situation in the hospitals in Bavaria. “The intensive care beds are full,” he said after the meeting of the Bavarian cabinet. The corona traffic light is red. Söder said he was in favor of the vaccinated status expiring after nine months.
B.Ayern’s Prime Minister Markus Söder is concerned about the high number of new corona infections. “The situation is very, very serious,” said Söder after the meeting of the Bavarian cabinet on the consequences of the corona pandemic. In Bavaria, the incidence is currently 348, in four districts even more than 800. Infections are found in all age cohorts, according to Söder. There is a very high incidence of infections in young people, an incidence of 400 in children and adolescents. But also those over 60 would have an incidence of 140 and more.
“The intensive care beds are full,” said Söder. 90 percent of corona patients are not vaccinated. The corona traffic light in Bavaria jumped to red on Monday because of the full intensive care beds. This means that public events such as trade fairs, as well as sports and leisure activities, are subject to the 2G rule and only vaccinated, convalescent and children under the age of twelve have access.
Now, according to the Prime Minister, those who have not yet been vaccinated should be reached. There are still more than four million people in Bavaria. “Our goal must be to inspire these people.” Since the announcement that 2G would also be introduced in clubs and discos, the vaccination rate has increased.
“I can only strongly recommend the traffic lights not to duck,” said Söder. “It was and is the pandemic of the rulers.” Now it is also the traffic light pandemic that has to deal with it. Söder called for a conference of prime ministers.
In addition, Söder speaks out in favor of compulsory vaccination in certain professions. Personally, he is of the opinion that this makes sense, especially in old people’s and nursing homes. At the same time he demanded that every employer should have the right to inquire about the vaccination status.
In the fight against the corona pandemic, he advocates that the vaccinated status expires after nine months due to the diminishing effectiveness of the vaccines. “One should consider whether after nine months a vaccinated status can no longer apply almost automatically,” said Söder. It must be checked whether the 2G status can then still be obtained. He asked the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) to develop an opinion. This practice is followed in neighboring countries such as Austria.
Söder announced that more police controls will be carried out in restaurants in Bavaria. From now on, the police will issue direct fines for violations. Underage pupils over the age of twelve who are regularly tested for Corona in school can continue their sporting and musical hobbies without vaccination until the end of the year.
Vaccination centers are to be revived
Söder announced that he would keep the test centers and restart the vaccination centers. “We believe that boosting is now the best protection.” All over 60-year-olds will be written to for the booster vaccination. “But: whoever comes will be vaccinated.”
The situation in the hospitals is currently difficult. “If it gets worse and the transfers to other hospitals no longer work, then we will declare a disaster in the next few days,” said Söder. Instead of cooperative management, decisions about relocations should then be made hierarchically.
One will then see whether the previous measures are sufficient or where even stricter rules have to be introduced. Temporary closings could also be initiated in the catering area.
Until further notice, it is compulsory to wear a mask in schools. Given the current incidences, it makes sense to wear a mask. “2G also applies to schoolchildren from 12 if they want to go to clubs, discos or the like.” Söders appealed to the federal government that higher compensation payments are urgently needed for the hospitals.
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